Treatment of tibial plateau fractures complicating by tibial tubercle fracture

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the treatment effect of tibial plateau fractures complicating by tibial tubercle fracture. Methods The treatment effect of 21 patients with tibial plateau fractures and tibial tubercle fractures admitted to our department from January 2009 to June 2013 was analyzed retrospectively, including 12 males and 9 females, aged from 21 to 65 years old, with the average age of 33.5 years old. 21 patients underwent open reduction and internal fixation, in whom 6 patients (28.6%) underwent tibial plateau fixing rearward with full threaded cortical screw, 15 patients (71.4%) underwent tibial plateau fixing with 1/3 tubular plate. Results All patients were followed up for 13-25 months, with the average of 15.6 months. One patient had suffered pain due to a prominent screw in the tibial tubercle, and the pain disappeared after removing the screw. The average HSS score of knee joint was 88.2 points (60 - 96 points) after one year. There were no cases of necrosis of skin, deep infection, loosening and breakage of internal fixation. Conclusion Tibial plateau fracture complicating by tibial tubercle fracture can be firmly fixed with 1/3 tubular plate or full threaded cortical screw, with early knee joint exercises, which has achieved good clinical results. Key words: Extensor mechanism; Fracture; Operative fixation; Tibial plateau; Tibial tubercle