Treatment for depression fractures of posterolateral tibial plateau through superior fibular head approach

Abstract

To evaluate surgical method and clinical efficacy for the treatment of depression fractures of posterolateral tibial plateau through superior fibular head approach. Eleven patients with depression fractures of posterolateral tibial plateau through superior fibular head approach were treated from October 2013 to December 2016, including 9 males and 2 females with an average age of 39.7 years old ranged from 25 to 60 years old. The time from injure to operation ranged from 4 to 10 days with an average of 6.5 days. All fractures were closed fracture. Incision healing, tibial plateau varus angles and posterior slope angle were measured through X-rays immediately after operation and latest follow-up. At final follow-up, HSS score of knee joint were used to evaluate clinical effects. Eleven patients were followed up ranged from 11 to 13 months ranged from 55 to 90 min. All incisions were healed at stage I. Fracture healing time ranged from 7 to 12 weeks. There were no significant differences of tibial plateau varus angles and posterior slope angles comparing between immediately opertaion and latest follow-up (P<0.05). At the final follow up, HSS scores ranged from 80 to 93 points, 6 cases were excellent and 5 moderate. Depression fractures of posterolateral tibial plateau through superior fibular head approach has advantages of simple operation, less invasive, benefit for recovery of knee joint function, and could receive clinical effects.