Arthroscopically assisted surgery for tibial plateau fractures

Abstract

Objective To report outcomes of arthroscopically assisted surgery for tibial plateau fractures of Schatzker types Ⅰ-Ⅳ. Methods From October 2002 to October 2009, 26 patients with tibial plateau fracture were treated with arthroscopically assisted surgery at our department.They were 15 males and 11 females, aged from 24 to 68 years (average, 43.6 years).Accordingto Schatzker classification, 3 cases were of type Ⅰ, 8 of type Ⅱ, 9 of type Ⅲ and 6 of type Ⅳ.Fracture segments of the tibial plateau were reduced under arthroscopy, and bone defects were filled with autografts or allografts before fixation with compression lag screws or buttress plates.Results The mean operation time was 92.6 minutes (from 60 to 120 minutes) .The satisfactory reduction rate was 100%.Postoperative traumatic reactions were slight,without local infection.Incisions healed well, without serious vascular or neural complications.All the 26 patients were followed up for an average of 14.6 months (from 10 to 24 months).All the fractures healed well after 12 to 24 weeks (average, 16 weeks).According to the Rasmussen scoring for knee function, 16 cases were excellent, 9 good and one was fair, with an excellent-to-good rate of 96.2%.Conclusion In treatment of tibial plateau fractures of Schatzker types Ⅰ-Ⅳ, arthroscopically assisted surgery has advantages of satisfactory reduction, limited operative invasion, mild postoperative reaction, fine bone healing and fast functional recovery. Key words: Arthroscopy; Tibia; Fractures; Fracture fixation, internal