Osteoid osteoma is a benign bone-forming lesion, characterized by its small size, its clearly demarcated outline and by the usual presence of a surrounding zone of reactive bone formation. It often poses a diagnostic challenge due to its ambiguous presentation. The aetiology of osteoid osteoma is poorly understood. The previous suggestion that osteoid osteoma was not associated with trauma or infection has been challenged by more recent literature raising the possibility that it could be a reactive or healing response or a phenomenon associated with the revascularisation process. This case report describes an unusual presentation of a post-traumatic osteoid osteoma. Two years following a diaphyseal, spiral tibial fracture treated nonoperatively, the patient developed new pain at the previous fracture site. The pain was constant, relieved by non-steroidal analgesia and not associated with systemic upset. It was initially attributed to other more likely diagnoses such as osteomyelitis and neuropathic pain. Multiple investigations and interventions were undertaken prior to the definitive diagnosis being obtained by surgical excision of the lesion and histological studies five years after the injury and three years following the initiation of the discomfort. In both English and foreign language literature there are only seven case reports that document osteoid osteoma following fracture, these are predominantly in the lower limb with no predominance to operative or nonoperative management. This case report should raise the index of clinical suspicion of osteoid osteoma occurring post fracture.

Introduction. Pilon fractures are complex, high-energy, intra-articular fractures of the distal tibia. Achieving good outcomes is challenging due to fracture complexity and extensive soft tissue damage. The purpose of this study was to determine the long-term functional and clinical outcomes of definitive management with fine wire Ilizarov fixation for closed pilon fractures. Materials and Methods. 185 patients treated over a 14-year period (2004–2018) were included. All patients had Ilizarov frames applied to restore mechanical axis and fine wires to control periarticular fragments. CT scans were performed post operatively to confirm satisfactory restoration of the articular surface. All frames were dynamized prior to removal. Patients' functional outcome was assessed using the validated Chertsey Outcome Score for Trauma (“COST”). Review of clinical notes and imaging was used to determine complications and time to union. Results. The mean functional outcome in the studied cohort was determined to be “average” on the “COST” score. Poorer functional outcomes were associated with younger age at time of injury and multi-fragment fracture patterns. Mean time in frame was 170 days. Complication rates were low. There were no deep infections, no amputations and only 8 patients went on to have ankle fusions. Conclusions. Good functional results and low complication rates can be achieved by managing pilon fractures with fine wire Ilizarov fixation. Nonetheless, at time of injury patients should be counselled as to the severity of the injury and impact on their functional status

Most high-energy trauma to lower legs, ankles and feet result in severe crush injuries. We performed a retrospective case series study. Eight patients (7M: 1F) with mean age of 28 years (range -18 -35 years) were included. Four had Grade 3 open fractures of the distal tibia and 5 had open foot fractures. Two had neurovascular injuries. Four patients had associated injuries with mean ISS of 9 (range 8-16) and a mean MESS score of 3.5 (3-7). All had undergone some form of internal and external fixation within approximately 24 hours (8 hrs to 4 days). The mean follow-up period was two years (range 1-4 years). At final follow-up patients' health was measured using SF-36 questionnaire. Six patients had their fractures healed at a mean of 4.8 months (4-9 m). Two patients had fully functional foot with occasional complaints of painful ankle. Two patients had CRPS1 undergoing treatment. Two patients are unable to walk due to chronic pain and deformity. Comparison of the SF-36 scores with the age-matched UK normal controls without foot and ankle injuries showed significantly worse scores in physical function (PF: p<0.01) and role physical (RP: p< 0.01) categories. Our surgical instinct dominates decision-making, favouring salvage rather than amputation in these young groups of patient. They gradually suffer a cocktail of crippling disease characterised by psycho-socio-economic and physical disability. Should we be depleting our resources in salvaging these complex limb injuries?

Introduction. Intramedullary nailing is gaining popularity for treatment of distal tibial fractures due to short operative time and minimum surgical trauma to soft tissues. Distal tibial fractures are commonly associated with concurrent fibular fractures at, above or below the level of tibial fractures. So far there is no consensus for fixation of fibular fractures. Materials and Methods. Fractures of fibula at or below the level of fracture of tibia were taken into consideration. Fractures of fibula above the tibial level were excluded because they do not add to stability of fracture fixation. Retrospective study was done and distal tibia-fibula fractures were separated into 2 groups based on whether fibula was fixed or not. Measures of angulation were obtained from radiographs taken immediately after the surgery, a second time 3 months later, and at 6-month follow-up. Results. 35 fracture of distal tibia and fibula were included in study. Fibula was not fixed in 21 cases while 14 fibular fixations were carried out either using short plates(8) or intramedullary pins(6). No significant differences were observed for malalignment in fracture of fibula at the level of tibial fractures. However for fractures of fibula at a level lower than its tibial counterpart, fixation of fibula significantly reduced malalignment. Conclusion. Fixation of fibula has a definite role in reducing malunion in cases where fibula was fractured below the level of tibial fracture. Fixation of fibula may increase overall stability of fixation of tibia and reduce malunion

Unstable fractures of the distal tibia are being increasingly treated by open reduction and internal fixation using pre-contoured locking plates. Functional outcome following this type of fixation has not been reported previously. The aim of this study was to functionally assess patients following MIPO fixation of distal tibial fractures. Case notes of 26 patients treated at a single centre were reviewed. The fracture type, fixation technique, complications, time to union and subsequent treatment were documented. All patients returned for functional scoring using the validated American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) foot and ankle core score. Twenty-six consecutive patients were treated between 2002-2005. The majority were male, and 5 were open fractures. There were 13 AO type A, 4 type B and 9 type C fractures. Mean follow up was 20 months. Average time from injury to surgery was 2.5 days. All fractures were treated by a MIPO technique. A pre-contoured distal locking plate was used for the distal tibial reconstruction. Secondary surgical procedures e.g. 2nd look, delayed primary closure, or skin grafting were necessary in 3 cases. The fibula was plated in 60% of cases. Four patients developed wound infections requiring antibiotics, and all resolved. The commonest rehabilitation regime was 6 weeks non weight bearing in plaster. Mean time to union was 18 weeks. There were 3 cases of delayed union, requiring bone grafting. One patient required removal of the plate due to local irritation, and one required a broken screw to be removed. Mean range of movement was 10 degrees dorsiflexion, 30 plantarflexion. The mean normalised AAOS foot and ankle core score was 41 (SD +/− 8). We conclude that MIPO fixation of distal tibial fractures is a safe and effective method of treatment. Functional outcome does not significantly differ from that of the general population

Fractures of distal tibia are common and often present with dilemma of appropriate and safe management. The use of locking plates has changed the way these fractures have been managed as it avoids extensive soft tissue dissection and periosteal stripping. The aims of this study were to look at the results of stabilization and analyse the complications of fractures of distal tibia treated with Locked plates. We carried out a retrospective study of patients who underwent surgical treatment for distal tibial fractures using MIPO (Minimally invasive Percutaneous Osteosynthesis) technique. The data was gathered from theatre data base. We studied a period between Nov 2006 to May 2009. We collected patient demographics as well as the type of fractures, mechanism of injury, radiological union and associated complications. There were no open fractures in the study. The limb was splinted for two weeks after surgery in a back slab. The patients were followed up at 6 weeks, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months after surgery. There were 45 patients in the study with 29 males & 16 females between ages of 20 – 87 (avg. 49 yrs). 24 patients sustained injury due to a fall, 12 were involved in RTA and the remaining 9 were sports related injuries. The mean time to surgery was 3.15 days (1 – 7) and surgery was carried either by the consultant or their direct supervision. The mean hospital stay was 7 days (2 – 35) and mean time to radiological evidence of callus was 9 weeks. All patients eventually returned to their preinjury employment. 76% showed radiological union at 6 months and 90% at 9 months. There were 3 superficial wound infections, 2 deep infections whilst 2 needed bone grafting and 1 implant failure. 2 patients developed mild form of CRPS which resolved at 12 months. 11 patients had metal discomfort of which 9 had removal of hardware. All these patients had the tip snapped off. MIPO with LCP is a reliable and reproducible technique in treatment of closed unstable fracture of distal tibia. Patients must be counselled about implant removal after fracture union. Avoid snapping the tip of the LCP

Introduction. We describe a minimally invasive technique that permits intra-focal bone graft of non-union sites with minimal disturbance of soft tissues and vascularity, and present the results of this technique. Materials and Methods. 10 patients with established tibia fracture non-union were judged suitable for the technique, and were treated in our limb reconstruction unit between January 1995 to June 2007. Eight patients were male, 2 were females with a mean age of 37.4 years (27–64). Five fractures were in the distal tibia and five were diaphyseal fractures. Five fractures were as a result of high velocity and 6 fractures were open. Average number of previous operations were 3 (range 1–7). Time lapse between injury to trephine grafting procedure was mean of 34 (6–168 months). 5 patients had a sedentary job, 2 were labourers and 2 were not working. There were 5 smokers and 2 obese patients. Six cases were of infected non-unions. Operative technique. Under general anaesthesia, the graft(s) was first obtained from the iliac crest using a guide wire centred trephine. A stab incision was made at the non-union site under image control. A core was taken across the non-union, taking care to breach both bone fragments. A trephine core was rolled in Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP-7). This was then introduced through the trephine in to the non-union site and pushed with the plunger into the defect created by the cylindrical plug taken from the site. After this, the trocar with the stylet in place was gradually withdrawn with small oscillating motions to fill in the path of the trocar. This was repeated about 3–4 times at the non-union site. The stab wound were closed with interrupted Nylon. Results. 10 patients underwent treatment for complex non-union after initial operation (average number 3) at the referring centre. Treatment in a circular fixator ranged from 10–33 months (20.7 months) with reapplication in 2 patients. Average number of procedures were 4 (range 1–7). Trephine grafting was performed in all cases; BMP was used in 4 cases along with iliac crest bone graft. All patients attained clinical and radiological union with CT confirmation required in 2 patients. 4 patients with sedentary job returned to work, manual workers returned to low demand occupation. Conclusion. The technique described is a safe and effective treatment method for this complex problem with limited donor site morbidity and avoids prolonged hospital stay