Technique tip: Avoiding wound complications after a large opening wedge osteotomy of the distal tibia using a soft-tissue expander

摘要

A neglected malunion of a distal tibial and fibular fracture is occasionally seen. Eventually the malposition with the resulting shift in the weight-bearing axis will lead to premature posttraumatic arthritis, pain, and difficulty walking. Progressive pain and difficulty walking brought a 57-year-old white male to be seen (Figure 1). He sustained a severe fracture with medial distal tibial growth arrest when he was 12 years old. He was noted to have a thin leg with a very tight soft tissue envelope over the medial distal tibia (Figure 2).