Functional assessment of tibial plateau fracture by various modalities of treatment

Abstract

Background: Tibial plateau is the most important weight bearing surface. These intraarticular fractures are difficult to treat and presented with different fracture morphology. Due to in-crease in incidence of high velocity trauma and higher functional demands of patients, surgery is indicated in most of the cases. Even though, there is advancement in fracture fixation methods, treatment of tibial plateau fractures still remains controversial. Methods: In our series, we analyzed the functional outcomes of 18 of surgically treated tibial plateau fractures. Fractures were classified with Schatzker’s classification. Various fixation modalities of fixation were employed. Functional outcome was evaluated with modified Rasmussen’s criteria.Results: The functional outcome assessment according to Modified Rasmussen’s criteria at the end of 12 months showed the excellent functional outcome in 5 (27.7%), good in eight (44.4%), fair in four (22.2%) and poor in one (5.6%) patients.Conclusions: Road traffic accidents are the main cause of injury with males affected more commonly than females. CT scan with three dimensional reconstructions gives accurate fracture geometry for preoperative planning for osteo-synthesis. Result of various types surgeries are good for various types of fracture pattern except when complications developed in elderly patients of type VI fracture pattern in the form of stiffness which led to an unacceptable outcome.