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Published in: International Orthopaedics 5/2013

01-05-2013 | Original Article

Morphological characteristics of split-depression fractures of the lateral tibial plateau (Schatzker type II): a computer-tomography–based study

Authors: Qilin Zhai, Congfeng Luo, Yi Zhu, Ling Yao, Chengfang Hu, Bingfang Zeng, Changqing Zhang

Published in: International Orthopaedics | Issue 5/2013

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Abstract

Purpose

The objective of this study was to evaluate the morphological characteristics of lateral tibial plateau split-depression fractures (Schatzker type II).

Methods

A retrospective analysis of radiographic and computed tomographic (CT) data of lateral tibial plateau split-depression fractures from January 2009 to December 2010 was conducted in a level 1 trauma centre. The discontinuity arc, angle of depression centre (ADC), anterior-posterior position of articular depression centre (APDC), surface area percentage (SAP), sagittal angulation and depression depth were measured on CT images using the Picture Archiving and Communication System.

Results

Based on the integrity of posterolateral wall and discontinuity arc, 140 cases of Schatzker type II fracture were divided into two subtypes: intact group (69 cases) and broken group (71 cases). The fracture of the intact group was located in the anterior part of the lateral plateau, the average ADC was 72.13°, APDC was 43.25 % of sagittal diameter, SAP was 22.16 % of total plateau, sagittal angulation was 6.59°and depression depth was 10.80 mm. Of the broken group, the average ADC, APDC, SAP, sagittal angulation and depression depth was 92.45°, 61.84 %, 22.63 %, 9.00° and 10.78 mm, respectively. Forty-seven cases in the broken group had a posterolateral fragment and 15 cases among them had articular depression centered in the posterolateral region. The difference in ADC, APDC and sagittal angulation between the two groups was statistically significant (p < 0.05), while no significant difference was observed for SAP and depression depth.

Conclusions

Of all the 140 cases in this study, 10.7 % are located in the posterolateral region. An appropriate operative approach and fixation method should be selected based on the individual morphological characteristics of lateral plateau fractures.
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Metadata
Title
Morphological characteristics of split-depression fractures of the lateral tibial plateau (Schatzker type II): a computer-tomography–based study
Authors
Qilin Zhai
Congfeng Luo
Yi Zhu
Ling Yao
Chengfang Hu
Bingfang Zeng
Changqing Zhang
Publication date
01-05-2013
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
International Orthopaedics / Issue 5/2013
Print ISSN: 0341-2695
Electronic ISSN: 1432-5195
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-013-1825-5

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