Rehabilitation following Medial Meniscus tear and Lateral Tibial Plateau fracture managed conservatively: A Case Report

Abstract

Background and purpose: Dashboard injuries with forced lateral rotation of the leg can cause tibial plateau fractures with medial meniscus and ACL injuries. Tibial plateau fractures are difficult to treat and can have devastating effects such as discomfort, deformity, restricted ROM causing early degenerative changes in the knee joint. The purpose of this case report is to explain the physiotherapy intervention options and to assess their success in the conservative management of such injury. Case description: 33-year-old female presented to physical therapy with severe pain over the right knee while standing, unable to bend or straighten the knee and had a feeling of giving away of knee while walking since the time patient experienced a fall from her motorcycle. The condition was managed with supervised and unsupervised physiotherapy for 8 weeks. Intervention consisted of patient’s education about the condition, immobilization, electrotherapeutic modalities, exercise therapy, posture, gait, balance and proprioception training and counselling for 8 weeks, six days a week, for 45–60 minutes each day. Outcome: The patient gained the knee ROM and strength in the lower extremities while achieving all short-term goals. She began ambulating independently and was mobile and autonomous in most situations. Her Oxford knee score improved by 75%. Discussion: It has been demonstrated that physical therapy interventions are helpful in reducing patients' functional limitations. Due to a lack of supporting data, this case report describes specific procedures that were used to reduce functional restrictions caused by a medial meniscus rupture and a lateral tibial plateau fracture. KEYWORDS: Meniscal cartilage, intra-articular fracture, physical therapy, ambulation, functional status.