Arthroscopically Assisted Fixation of the Tibial Plateau Fractures

Abstract

Objectives: To consolidate the current literature and find the evidence of any advantages of the use of the above mentioned techniques and also to emphasize the need for well-designed studies to evaluate long- and short-term function and risk of posttraumatic osteoarthritis in arthroscopically-assisted treated patients.Background: The role of arthroscopy in the fixation of tibial plateau fractures has been advocated in the literature in the last decades. A number of papers have been published regarding Arthroscopically Assisted Internal Fixation (mainly) and Arthroscopically Assisted External Fixation (significantly smaller amount of papers) of tibial plateau fractures.Materials and Methods: 29 studies including 983 patients were identified via Pubmed search. Most of them are small studies, poorly controlled and with potential bias.Results: Despite the small amount of studies comparing ARIF with ORIF technique and studies with an average follow up longer than 3 years), the advocates of ARIF suggest, that this technique can have a key role in the management of tibial plateau fractures and is the treatment of choice for associated intra-articular pathology. Nevertheless, most of these studies, if not all, are selected, small studies, poorly controlled and with potential bias.Conclusions: There is a need for well-designed studies to evaluate long- and short-term function and risk of posttraumatic osteoarthritis in arthroscopically-assisted treated patients.