Development of Minimally Invasive Strategies for Tibial Pilon Fractures

İntroduction-Aim: The research evaluates minimally invasive surgical techniques for tibial pilon fractures through AO/OTA classification while assessing clinical and radiological results and determining predictive elements. Methods: Between January 2019 and December 2022, 30 patients (18 males, 12 females) diagnosed with AO/OTA type 43-B and 43-C tibial pilon fractures and treated with minimally invasive surgery were retrospectively analysed. Patients were treated with percutaneous fixation (n=14) or minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (n=16). The AOFAS score and pain VAS score and SF-36 were used to evaluate functional outcomes while articular reduction and joint step and alignment measurements were used to evaluate radiological outcomes. Results: The mean patient age was 45±12 years, and the mean follow-up period was 24 months. The rate of anatomical reduction was significantly higher in Type B fractures (87.5%) compared to Type C fractures (57.1%) (p=0.008). AOFAS scores reached an average of 85±8 at 12 months, but decreased significantly with increasing AO/OTA classification (β=-0.45, p=0.001). The risk of post-traumatic arthritis was significantly increased in AO type C2/C3 fractures (OR=6.8, p2 mm (OR=7.5, p