Skip to main content
Top
Published in: International Orthopaedics 4/2021

01-04-2021 | Knee Osteoarthritis | Original Paper

Lateral tibial plateau fractures—functional outcomes and complications after open reduction and internal fixation

Authors: Sasa Milenkovic, Milan Mitkovic, Milorad Mitkovic, Predrag Stojiljkovic, Mladen Stojanovic

Published in: International Orthopaedics | Issue 4/2021

Login to get access

Abstract

Purpose

Tibial plateau fractures are severe intra-articular injuries; their treatment is accompanied by numerous complications and requires extensive surgical experience. In this manuscript, we compared our experiences with data from the literature.

Methods

Retrospectively, we analyzed 41 patients with closed lateral tibial plateau fracture (Schatzker’s I–III). All fractures were treated surgically with open reduction and internal plate fixation. Post-operative complications and final outcomes were monitored according to the Tegner Lysholm Knee Scoring System. The average follow-up was 5.7 years (2–10).

Results

We analyzed 41 patients (Schatzker I–III), average age 46.7 ± 13.0 years. Traumatic lesion of the lateral meniscus was present in 15 (36.58%) patients. Post-traumatic knee osteoarthritis was present in all (100%) patients after lateral meniscectomy and in 20% of patients it occurred after meniscus repair (p = 0.007). Post-traumatic knee osteoarthritis was present in 12 (29.68%) patients. Infection occurred in five (12.19%) patients, DVT in three (7.3%) patients, and we had one (2.43%) case of non-lethal PE. Final functional outcomes were excellent in 13 (31.7%), good in 21 (51.21%), moderate in five (12.19%), and poor in two (4.87%) patients.

Conclusion

Lateral tibial plateau fractures are severe intra-articular injuries which can leave lasting consequences, regardless of the restoring of the articular surface and stable internal fixation. Local skin condition and associated soft tissue injuries, comminution, degree of dislocation, and depression can significantly affect the development of post-traumatic osteoarthritis and poor outcomes.
Literature
9.
go back to reference Young MJ, Barrack RL (1994) Complications of internal fixation of tibial plateau fractures. Orthop Rev 23(2):149–154PubMed Young MJ, Barrack RL (1994) Complications of internal fixation of tibial plateau fractures. Orthop Rev 23(2):149–154PubMed
10.
12.
go back to reference Tegner Y, Lysholm J (1985) Rating systems in the evaluation of knee ligament injuries. Clin Orthop Relat Res 198:43–49 Tegner Y, Lysholm J (1985) Rating systems in the evaluation of knee ligament injuries. Clin Orthop Relat Res 198:43–49
13.
go back to reference Mitsou A, Vallianatos P, Piskopakis N, Maheras S (1990) Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction by over- the- top repair combined with popliteus tendon plasty. J Bone Joint Surg (Br) 72(3):398–404CrossRef Mitsou A, Vallianatos P, Piskopakis N, Maheras S (1990) Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction by over- the- top repair combined with popliteus tendon plasty. J Bone Joint Surg (Br) 72(3):398–404CrossRef
17.
go back to reference Shah SN, Karunakar MA (2007) Early wound complications after operative treatment of high energy tibial plateau fractures through two incisions. Bull NYU Hosp Jt Dis 65(2):115–119PubMed Shah SN, Karunakar MA (2007) Early wound complications after operative treatment of high energy tibial plateau fractures through two incisions. Bull NYU Hosp Jt Dis 65(2):115–119PubMed
26.
go back to reference Marsh JL, Buckwalter J, Gelberman R, Dirschl D, Olson S, Brown T, Llinias A (2002) Articular fractures: does an anatomic reduction really change the result? J Bone Joint Surg Am 84-A:1259–1271CrossRef Marsh JL, Buckwalter J, Gelberman R, Dirschl D, Olson S, Brown T, Llinias A (2002) Articular fractures: does an anatomic reduction really change the result? J Bone Joint Surg Am 84-A:1259–1271CrossRef
Metadata
Title
Lateral tibial plateau fractures—functional outcomes and complications after open reduction and internal fixation
Authors
Sasa Milenkovic
Milan Mitkovic
Milorad Mitkovic
Predrag Stojiljkovic
Mladen Stojanovic
Publication date
01-04-2021
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
International Orthopaedics / Issue 4/2021
Print ISSN: 0341-2695
Electronic ISSN: 1432-5195
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-020-04763-y

Other articles of this Issue 4/2021

International Orthopaedics 4/2021 Go to the issue