Schatzker 3 Tibial Plateau Reduction and Osteoplasty Using Tektona® Flexible Lamella: a Case Report

Abstract

Schatzker 3 fractures of tibial plateau are classically treated with open reduction and internal fixation. Recent mini-invasive techniques have been developed with balloon cementoplasty. Tektona® device was originally designed for vertebral kyphoplasty and has never been described in peripheral limb reduction and fixation. The present article proposes a new technique using Tektona® flexible lamella for reduction and fixation of Schatzker 3 tibial plateau fractures. The patient was a 54-year-old female who fell from her height and sustained a direct trauma to the right knee. A closed fracture of the right lateral tibial plateau (Schatzker 3) was documented. A closed reduction was performed using Tektona® flexible lamella and cementoplasty, under fluoroscopic control. An 82% reduction of the plateau was assessed on the post-operative tomography. No intraoperative complication was noted. This first case of Tektona® use in tibial plateau fracture led to a satisfying result regarding the fracture reduction, with no intraoperative complication. The main advantage of this technique over balloon kyphoplasty is the unidirectional and repeatable reduction maneuver. The reduction of the plateau can indeed be done without compression of the underlying cancellous bone by orienting the Tektona® lamella upwards.