Background: Proximal tibial fractures, complex and biomechanically challenging, become even more formidable with compromised skin conditions. Traditional interventions face limitations in addressing severe soft tissue injuries. Recent advancements highlight the Ilizarov external fixator as a promising alternative, offering dynamic solutions for fractures and soft tissue aspects simultaneously. Despite its established efficacy, there’s a gap in literature regarding its application in proximal tibial fractures with compromised skin conditions. This study aimed to assess Ilizarov’s use in such fractures and related outcomes. Methods: This prospective cohort study, conducted at a North Indian tertiary care center from July 2021 to June 2022, focused on patients with proximal tibial fractures treated with the Ilizarov external fixator. Ethical approval was obtained, and 56 eligible participants were consecutively enrolled. The intervention involved Ilizarov external fixator application within 24 hours of admission, tailored to fracture characteristics. Data collection included baseline demographics, intraoperative details, and follow-up assessments using Johner and Wruh’s criteria. Statistical analyses employed SPSS version 20.0, presenting results with descriptive statistics and considering a p-value 20 weeks. The mean duration of hospital stay was 12.56 days. Pin tract infections (17.9%), knee stiffness (12.5%), and limb shortening (8.9%) constituted postoperative complications. Conclusion: In conclusion, our study contributes to the growing body of knowledge surrounding Ilizarov external fixation for proximal tibial fractures with compromised skin conditions. While our outcomes are generally consistent with recent literature, the observed variations warrant continued exploration.

Background: Proximal tibial fractures, complex and biomechanically challenging, become even more formidable with compromised skin conditions. Traditional interventions face limitations in addressing severe soft tissue injuries. Recent advancements highlight the Ilizarov external fixator as a promising alternative, offering dynamic solutions for fractures and soft tissue aspects simultaneously. Despite its established efficacy, there’s a gap in literature regarding its application in proximal tibial fractures with compromised skin conditions. This study aimed to assess Ilizarov’s use in such fractures and related outcomes. Methods: This prospective cohort study, conducted at a North Indian tertiary care center from July 2021 to June 2022, focused on patients with proximal tibial fractures treated with the Ilizarov external fixator. Ethical approval was obtained, and 56 eligible participants were consecutively enrolled. The intervention involved Ilizarov external fixator application within 24 hours of admission, tailored to fracture characteristics. Data collection included baseline demographics, intraoperative details, and follow-up assessments using Johner and Wruh’s criteria. Statistical analyses employed SPSS version 20.0, presenting results with descriptive statistics and considering a p-value 20 weeks. The mean duration of hospital stay was 12.56 days. Pin tract infections (17.9%), knee stiffness (12.5%), and limb shortening (8.9%) constituted postoperative complications. Conclusion: In conclusion, our study contributes to the growing body of knowledge surrounding Ilizarov external fixation for proximal tibial fractures with compromised skin conditions. While our outcomes are generally consistent with recent literature, the observed variations warrant continued exploration.