Half-ring external fixation in the management of tibial plafond fractures

Objective: To investigate the management of tibial plafond fractures with a half-ring external fixator using half pins. Design: Prospective. Setting: University teaching hospital. Patients: Twenty-four patients with AO Type A or C tibial plafond fractures. Outcome Measures: Outcome was assessed by using standard criteria of time to union, incidence of infection and malunion, and incidence of pin-tract sepsis. Functional return was assessed by measuring hindfoot function. A scoring system, incorporating clinical and radiological results, was used to rate the results. Results: When using closed or minimally open reduction techniques and interfragmentary screw fixation for the articular component of the fractures, the results of using a half-ring external fixator with half-pins were comparable with those of using small wire fixators. There was a 4.2 percent incidence of infection, and 75 percent of the patients had good or excellent results. Conclusions: A half-ring external fixator using half-pins produces results that are comparable to those obtained with small wire external fixation. However, the technique is easier and safer.