How to fasten bone healing in a person with plates inserted for pilon fracture?

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I thoroughly read your query and understand your concern.

Fracture healing is a natural process, and every organ has unique healing times. Just like a skin cut where you can bring the skin edges together and keep them there by applying stitches but cannot make a wound heal in two days. It usually takes 10 to 14 days. The plates will keep the bone ends together, and the fracture should heal in three to four months. What I cannot say is the quality of reduction, the gap between the ends of the bone, and the soft tissue damage, as well as if this was an open fracture or not, as there is no X-ray that you have sent out or written about in your description. Some modalities used to heal fractures are ultrasound and electromagnetic induction, but I am not sure of the availability at your end. You can help by eating a healthy diet, not smoking, having no alcohol consumption, and taking vitamin D supplements.

Hope this has addressed your concern.

Kind regards.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I saw your X-rays (attachments are hidden to protect the patient's identity), and the following are my interpretations and suggestions:

You can see that there is a small gap in the thinner bone called the fibula. Also, I note that the upper three screws may be pulling out as the plate seems to lift off the bone. Were they like that on the immediate post-operative X-rays? You should compare the two films and perhaps speak with your surgeon if it concerns you. The tibial fracture is quite commuted, and the surgeon has done a good job of bringing it all together. The thing to note is the joint surface is not smooth, and I am sure your surgeon tried his best to restore it. This means that the joint is likely to give you trouble in the future.

Hope this helps.

Kind regards.