The significance of early motion in the treatment of tibial plateau fractures

Although the trend in management of tibial plateau fractures has been toward early motion, the period of immobilization that can be tolerated safely is open to question. In the present study, 160 acute tibial plateau fractures were reviewed in an effort to answer this question. The 112 fractures that were suitable for analysis were divided into undisplaced fractures, displaced fractures treated nonoperatively, and displaced fractures treated operatively. Among these groups, results were compared based on the period after injury that the knee was immobilized. Undisplaced fractures and displaced fractures that were treated nonoperatively regained full knee motion when immobilized up to six weeks. Fractures treated operatively tended to develop knee stiffness with only two weeks of immobilization. Loss of fracture reduction tended to occur in patients who were immobilized for relatively short periods. Immediate knee motion was correlated with prolonged hospitalization. Based on these results, knee mobilization following tibial plateau fractures is determined by the degree of fracture displacement, method of treatment, and quality of aftercare.     

外固定支架结合胫骨近端锁定钢板治疗胫骨平台复杂骨折

目的：通过应用外固定支架结合胫骨近端锁定钢板治疗胫骨平台骨折,观察临床疗效,探讨胫骨平台复杂骨折的治疗方法。方法：2006年2月至2008年10月,采用外固定支架结合胫骨近端锁定钢板治疗复杂胫骨平台骨折12例,男8例、女4例;年龄23～59岁,平均38岁。骨折按Sehazker分型：Ⅴ型7例,Ⅵ型5例。术中使用前内侧切口及前外侧切口,于胫骨外侧置入锁定钢板进行内固定。观察术前及术后X线片胫骨平台塌陷及高度丢失情况,对膝关节功能使用HSS评分法评分。结果：12例均获随访,时间4—18个月,平均9．79个月,骨折平均愈合时间3．1个月。骨折愈合11例,延迟愈合1例,无骨筋膜室综合征及下肢深静脉栓塞。术前、术后X线片对照检查未发生Ⅱ期胫骨平台塌陷及高度丢失,无对线不良,膝关节屈曲90°～110°。HSS评分术后平均（75．50±10．01）分,较术前平均（21．50±11．68）分有所提高。结论：外固定支架结合胫骨近端锁定钢板治疗复杂胫骨平台骨折提供了持续稳定的固定,防止骨折的Ⅱ期移位和膝关节力线的畸形,可以保护膝关节周围软组织,减少手术并发症,膝关节功能满意。     

关节镜下治疗胫骨平台塌陷和髁间棘撕脱骨折

目的　探讨应用关节镜技术在微创条件下治疗胫骨平台塌陷和髁间棘撕脱骨折。方法　在关节镜下治疗胫骨平台塌陷 2例 ,髁间棘撕脱骨折 2例 ,胫骨后侧平台塌陷伴髁间棘撕脱骨折 1例。结果　 5例病人骨折复位满意 ,髁间棘撕脱骨折病例其交叉韧带均恢复其张力。患膝无疼痛及不稳 ,关节活动恢复良好。结论　关节镜的使用为治疗胫骨平台塌陷和髁间棘撕脱骨折提供了一种创伤极小、可准确复位手术新方法     

Closed reduction of tibial plateau fractures. A comparison of functional and roentgenographic end results

One hundred tibial plateau fractures in 96 patients were treated at three teaching hospitals. Seventy-three fractures were treated by closed reduction and early mobilization of the knee using a cast brace. Twelve fractures in this group also had percutaneous pin fixation under fluoroscopic control. The end results were graded by clinical functional criteria and by roentgenographic criteria. Eighty-nine percent of the patients treated by closed reduction methods had good to excellent functional results with a low complication rate (12%). Observations based on long-term roentgenographic examinations did not correlate with the functional end results. Many patients with less than satisfactory roentgenographic results had good to excellent functional long-term results. The indications for operative stabilization of these fractures should be based on testing for knee stability in full extension, rather than on any arbitrary roentgenographic criteria. For unstable fractures, closed reduction using ligamentotaxis and percutaneous fixation supplemented by cast brace support proved effective and relatively free of complications.     

复杂胫骨平台骨折的手术治疗

目的　探讨复杂胫骨平台骨折的治疗方法。方法　自 1993年 1月～ 1999年 6月收治复杂胫骨平台骨折 5 9例 ,均经切开复位、“AO”T型支撑钢板内固定。结果　随访 1年～ 5年 ,共 47例 ,优良率 89 36 %。结论　复杂胫骨平台骨折应当考虑手术治疗。MRI检查有助于全面评价骨折区域的整体情况 ;必须早期处理受损的软组织 ;在手术中 ,压缩的骨折块应整块上抬复位 ,而钢板与螺钉的置入方法相当重要 ,其它稳定结构应予修复并于术后早期作功能训练     

胫骨平台骨折合并周围韧带损伤治疗探讨

目的 分析胫骨平台骨折术后随访病例膝关节稳定性的变化，探讨胫骨平台骨折合并周围韧带损伤的发生率及早期诊断和处理措施。方法 对2000年1月～2003年6月期间在我院治疗的不同类型胫骨平台骨折进行回顾，对有随访的57例良好复位的平台骨折病例膝关节稳定度进行分析。结果 随访6个月～2.5年，平均15个月，未见明显膝关节不稳现象，总结出本组病例膝关节稳定性良好的原因：①胫骨平台骨折合并周围韧带损伤发生率低；②胫骨平台骨折合并韧带损伤程度轻；③解剖复位及坚强内固定；④术后良好制动及正确的康复训练指导。结论 胫骨平台骨折合并周围韧带完全断裂的发生率较低，韧带不全损伤非手术治疗可获得良好疗效。     

Tibial plateau fractures: definition, demographics, treatment rationale, and long-term results of closed traction management or operative reduction

Results of a decade of experience with 988 tibial plateau fractures are presented. Maximum plateau depression was measured on initial and follow-up x-ray studies, and knee instability was clinically evaluated to identify minor and major fractures as a guide to management. Demographic, treatment, and complication data were gathered prospectively in 753 fractures. Four hundred thirty-seven "major" tibial plateau fractures (44% of cases) were treated operatively; the remainder were treated by traction. Three hundred twenty patients who sustained only a plateau fracture were followed from 1 to 10 years, with an average of 3.7 years. Nonsurgical treatment included Buck's traction (89% of closed treatment cases) or a "knee exerciser" device utilizing skeletal traction in a Hodgson-Pearson apparatus. Early intermittent passive and active knee motion was encouraged. The complication rate of traction was 8%. The complication rate in operated patients was 19%, much of which was due to infection. Methods for objective and subjective scoring of both traction and operative results were developed and utilized. Results show that anatomic reduction of plateau fractures, in addition to early motion, is a major factor contributing to successful management of this potentially disabling injury.     

经后外侧入路治疗胫骨外侧平台单纯后侧、后外侧骨折的初步报告

目的 探讨胫骨外侧平台单纯后侧、后外侧骨折的损伤机制及介绍采用自行设计的后外侧入路进行治疗的经验.方法 自2007年5月至2007年10月,采用自行设计的后外侧人路治疗少见的胫骨外侧平台单纯后侧、后外侧骨折的患者6例.根据AO分型:41-B-2.2.4型即胫骨外侧平台后侧塌陷性骨折2例,41-B-3.1.2型即胫骨外侧平台后外侧塌陷劈裂性骨折4例.采用T型支撑钢板治疗4例,L型支撑钢板治疗2例. 结果 术后X线片检查示所有患者均达到解剖复位,6例术后随访15～37周,平均26.3周.随访3个月时X线片示骨折均已愈合,未见高度丢失,Rasmussen放射评分16～18分,平均17.3分.膝关节总伸屈度100°～135°,平均120°.膝关节功能HSS评分为85～95分,平均89.3分. 结论 胫骨外侧平台后侧、后外侧髁骨折是膝关节屈曲且在不同程度外翻状态下受到轴向暴力所致,而后外侧入路是治疗这种类型骨折较为理想的手术入路,具有暴露清楚、内崮定安放方便、创伤小以及临床疗效好等优点.     

Flexion-valgus unicondylar tibial plateau depression fracture pattern: Classification and treatment

PurposeThe authors have identified a subset of unicondylar tibial plateau depression fracture patterns caused by a flexion-valgus force. The purpose of this study was to describe this fracture pattern and suggest a modified lateral approach that may allow for improved reduction and stabilization.MethodsThe preoperative radiographs and CT scans of 102 patients who sustained unicondylar tibial plateau fractures (OTA 41B) were reviewed. Twenty-six fracture patients had posterolateral (PL) tibial plateau depression fractures. By medical record review and telephone follow-up, the injury mechanism of the 22 unicondylar tibial plateau fractures was confirmed as a flexion-valgus force. The radiographic features of those cases were analyzed and measured. To address this specific fracture pattern, a modified approach combined with a novel intra-articular osteotomy was applied.ResultsAccording to the morphological characteristics, this tibial plateau fracture pattern could be divided into two subtypes: type A was a confined, basin-like articular surface depression fracture located in the PL quadrant, and type B was a cancellous fracture involving the PL tibial plateau resulting in a decrease in the posterior slope. One radiographic hallmark of this fracture pattern is an anatomically or a mechanically intact posterior column wall. The novel approach was applied to both types. The postoperative radiographic measurements revealed excellent reduction quality. On axial scans, the distance between the most posterior rafting screw and the tangent line of the tibial plateau rim was 3.0 ± 2.07 mm (from −1.9 to 4.3), and the angulation between them was 8.9 ± 3.02° (from −7.3 to 15.6). These results indicated excellent PL quadrant coverage from the rafting screws.ConclusionFlexion-valgus force-induced unicondylar tibial plateau depression fracture is a unique injury pattern. We suggest a novel surgical approach to address this injury’s key features, which may facilitate exposure and enhance fixation strength.     

解剖型胫骨髁钢板治疗胫骨平台骨折

[目的]探讨胫骨平台骨折内固定的方法，评估内固定手术的疗效。[方法]对本科2000～2006年收治的22例胫骨平台骨折手术内固定患者进行随访，并进行回顾性分析，全部患者均采用德国LINK解剖型髁钢板内固定。[结果]本组患者平均随访33．3个月，骨折均于3个月愈合。膝关节功能恢复情况根据关节活动度、疼痛、关节稳定性进行HSS评分，平均89．5分。[结论]解剖型胫骨髁钢板可很好的治疗各型胫骨平台骨折，手术操作简单，治疗效果满意，是治疗胫骨平台骨折的良好的内固定材料。     

Tibial plateau fractures in the older patient.

The epidemiology and management of 151 tibial plateau fractures in patients aged over 60 years of age were reviewed. There were 115 females and 36 males. The usual mode of injury was a simple fall (88 fractures, 58%). The most common pattern of injury observed was the split depression variety, which accounted for 48 (32%) cases, followed by central depression fractures, which occurred in 31 (20%) cases. Non-operative management was used in 103 (68%) of fractures, open reduction and internal fixation in 40 (26%) fractures and external fixation in 8 (5%) fractures. Functional outcome in 67 patients assessed by the Hohl plateau evaluation score was similar in all 3 groups and was more closely related to initial fracture pattern. Forty-six (68%) of these 67 patients had evidence of osteoarthritic change on follow-up radiographs, but only 2 patients in the entire series went on to have a knee replacement. Degenerative change and a mediocre functional outcome are a common occurrence following tibial plateau fractures in patients over 60 years of age.     

胫骨后侧平台骨折的治疗

目的 探讨膝后外、后内入路治疗胫骨平台后髁骨折的临床效果.方法 7例胫骨平台后髁骨折患者中6例采用膝后外、后内入路直视下复位骨折,由后向前置入螺钉或钢板固定;1例非手术治疗.结果 随访6～22个月.根据Merchant膝关节功能评分标准评定疗效:6例手术治疗者,优4例,良2例;非手术治疗者为可.未见关节面明显塌陷,无膝关节内、外翻畸形和创伤性关节炎等并发症.结论 采用膝后外、后内入路治疗胫骨后侧平台骨折能充分地显露骨折面和骨折块,能准确地进行解剖复位和牢固固定,膝关节功能良好;而非手术治疗效果欠佳.     

Posterior bicondylar tibial plateau fractures

OBJECTIVE: To present a case series of patients with posterior bicondylar tibial plateau fractures treated by direct fracture exposure and fixation through dual incisions. DESIGN: Retrospective clinical study. SETTING: Level 1 trauma centers. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: Eight patients were identified that had posterior bicondylar tibial plateau fractures. Two patients had depressed posterolateral tibial plateau fractures with contained defects and did not have direct fracture exposure. One patient died of medical problems leaving 5 patients who underwent direct fracture exposure, reduction, and fixation. INTERVENTION: Posteromedial followed by posterolateral open reduction and internal fixation of posterior bicondylar tibial plateau fractures. RESULTS: At 6 to 24 months follow-up (mean 13 months), all patients returned to near full activities, each with aching after prolonged standing (8-hour shift). Range of motion averaged 2 degrees to 121 degrees of flexion. Three of 5 returned to manual labor jobs; the others were not employed at the time of injury. CONCLUSIONS: Posterior bicondylar tibial plateau fractures have a high association with lateral meniscal pathology and can be associated with anterior cruciate ligament injury. Reduction of the posterior plateau condyles is easiest with the knee in full extension. Flexion contractures can be a problem, and patients should be encouraged to regain/maintain knee extension. The dual-incision approach to these challenging fractures can result in good to excellent knee function for these patients.     

胫骨平台骨折的并发症

解剖复位、坚强固定以及压缩骨折植骨是治疗胫骨平台骨折的关键因素，近年来出现了微创内固定系统(LISS)、关节镜下治疗胫骨平台骨折等新技术，但是复位不良、感染、膝周软组织损伤、骨折不愈合、创伤性关节炎以及膝关节僵硬等并发症的发生仍然不可避免，本文介绍了胫骨平台骨折并发症的发生机制，处理以及预防措施。     

Outcome of tibial plateau fractures managed with calcium phosphate cement

OBJECTIVES: To compare the use of an injectable calcium phosphate cement (Skeletal Repair System (SRS), Norian corporation, Cupertino, CA) and minimal internal fixation with buttress plating and bone grafting for lateral tibial plateau fractures. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective analysis with 13 age, sex and fracture matched pairs of tibial plateau fractures. METHODS: Thirteen patients with lateral tibial plateau fractures treated with buttress plating and bone grafting were matched with 13 patients treated using minimal internal fixation and an injectable calcium phosphate cement (SRS). All patients were followed for a minimum of one year. The operative time, quality of reduction, maintenance of reduction and development of post-traumatic osteoarthritis was compared in both groups. RESULTS: The mean duration of surgery was 101 min in patients treated with buttress plating and bone grafting and 55 min in patients treated with SRS (P < 0.0001). Nine patients in the internal fixation and bone graft group had excellent anatomical reductions as judged on post-operative radiographs but some loss of reduction was observed in 8 of the 13 (61%) cases. All 13 patients from the SRS group had an excellent reduction on post-operative radiographs but 3 (23%) demonstrated some loss of reduction of the plateau. The mean residual plateau depression at one year was 4mm in the buttress plate group and 0.7 mm in the SRS group (P < 0.005). Two patients (15%) in the buttress plate group developed post-traumatic osteoarthritis and required knee arthroplasty. CONCLUSIONS: The use of SRS was associated with more favourable anatomical results than conventional treatment with buttress plating and bone grafting for lateral tibial plateau fractures.     

有限切开间接复位治疗简单胫骨平台骨折:应用C型臂X线机透视与关节镜监视两种方法的比较

目的探讨应用C型臂X线机透视和应用关节镜监视对简单胫骨平台骨折有限切开间接复位治疗的效果比较。方法采用有限切开间接复位技术治疗58例简单胫骨平台骨折,其中31例在C型臂X线机透视下完成(C型臂组),27例在关节镜监视下完成(关节镜组)。比较两种治疗方法在手术时间、软组织合并伤、术后早期并发症、内固定失败、膝关节功能(Hohl和Lcuk膝关节评分)等指标的差异。结果两组患者手术时间比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。两组患者术后早期并发症、内固定失败、膝关节功能评分等指标比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论对简单胫骨平台骨折行有限切开间接复位固定在应用C型臂X线机透视和应用关节镜监视指导下均能取得良好的治疗效果。C型臂X线机透视指导下复位结合有限切开间接复位内固定技术仍是治疗简单胫骨平台骨折的主要治疗手段,特别适合在不具备关节镜设备的县级以下基层医院开展。应用关节镜指导操作较应用C型臂X线机透视指导操作要相对复杂,手术时间长,需要专门训练。     

Closed reduction/percutaneous fixation of tibial plateau fractures: arthroscopic versus fluoroscopic control of reduction.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate arthroscopic versus fluoroscopic reduction and percutaneous fixation of lateral tibial plateau fractures of AO/OTA Types 41.B1 to 41.B3. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: University hospital. PATIENTS AND INTERVENTION: One hundred sixty-eight patients underwent operative treatment for a tibial plateau fracture from 1988 to 1995. Thirty-three of these patients had monocondylar fractures of the lateral plateau that were treated by percutaneous reduction and fixation techniques. In the first ten cases, arthroscopic control of reduction was used. The following twenty-three consecutive cases were treated by reduction and fixation solely under fluoroscopic control. The arthroscopy group was followed for a mean of fifty-two months and the fluoroscopy group for thirty-eight months. RESULTS: Nine of ten cases of the arthroscopy group had an excellent or good result in Rasmussen's knee score at follow-up. One patient with an unreduced anterolateral depression zone despite arthroscopic surgery required a total knee prosthesis after eighteen months. Sixteen cases in the fluoroscopy group met the follow-up criteria. Fifteen were graded good or excellent in Rasmussen's clinical score; sixteen were excellent or good in the radiological score. One patient claimed chronic medial joint line pain after a lateral split fracture and had arthroscopy revealing chondral degeneration on the medial side but had no pathological findings in the lateral compartment. No secondary meniscus or ligament surgery was performed in the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous treatment of fractures of the tibial plateau can be performed using arthroscopy as well as image intensification to control reduction of the joint surface. We were not able to demonstrate any significant benefit from arthroscopy compared with fluoroscopic reduction. Reduction under image intensification is technically easier in our practice, especially in serial fractures and multiply injured patients. We reserve arthroscopy for cases with significant ligament injuries and for children with fractures of the median eminence.     

前内侧钢板支撑固定治疗胫骨平台后外侧塌陷骨折的临床研究

目的研究前内侧钢板支撑固定胫骨平台后外侧塌陷骨折的手术效果。方法自2011-01—2013-03收治胫骨平台骨折存在外髁劈裂及后外侧塌陷者17例,均采用前内侧钢板支撑后外侧塌陷骨块并联合外侧钢板固定外侧平台劈裂骨折,植骨填补骨缺损,观察骨折固定情况、愈合情况和术后并发症。结果本组手术时间平均2．5h。17例均获得平均8（6～12）个月随访,骨折均解剖复位,下肢长度对线及旋转矫正满意,骨折愈合时间平均3（2—4）个月,无感染、关节僵硬等并发症发生。末次随访时膝关节功能按Rasmussen评分标准评定：优13例,良2例,可1例,差1例。结论前内侧钢板支撑胫骨平台后外侧塌陷骨折块可达到关节面的解剖复位,获得坚强固定,加快恢复膝关节的功能。     

Percutaneous inflation osteoplasty for indirect reduction of depressed tibial plateau fractures

Anatomic reduction of articular depression tibial plateau fractures is challenging. The authors describe a new technique using percutaneous balloon-guided inflation osteoplasty for a depressed lateral tibial plateau fracture. The fluoroscopy-guided inflation osteoplasty restores the joint surface anatomically in a minimally invasive fashion. The metaphyseal void is filled with a fast-setting fluid-phase bone substitute, and a lateral buttress plate is applied with less invasive incisions. This technique is a valid alternative for indirect reduction of depressed articular tibial plateau fractures.     

The extended posterolateral approach for split depression lateral tibial plateau fractures extending into the posterior column: 2 years follow up results of a prospective study

ObjectiveTo prospectively study the outcome of surgically treated split depression lateral tibial plateau fractures extending into the posterior column using the extended posterolateral approach.MethodsTwenty-one patients with split depression lateral tibial plateau fractures (AO: 41-B3) with extension into the posterior column were treated with open reduction and internal fixation through an extended posterolateral approach with osteotomy of the fibular neck ± Gerdy tubercle. Follow up radiographs was assessed for quality of articular reduction and limb axis. Functional assessment was performed at last follow up using the Tegner–Lysholm score. Complications pertaining to the surgical approach were recorded.ResultsThe approach was performed in 15 patients with a fibular neck osteotomy alone and 6 patients required a Gerdy's tubercle osteotomy also. All fractures and osteotomies had united. Anatomical articular reduction was achieved in 16 patients. Radiological limb alignment was restored in all patients except for a reversed posterior slope in 1 patient. Arthritic changes were seen in 3 patients. The mean Tegner–Lysholm score was 87.3 (range: 76–95) at last follow up. No specific complications related to the surgical approach like common peroneal nerve injury and lateral instability of the knee was encountered.ConclusionThe extended posterolateral approach offers excellent exposure posterior to the fibular head to perform articular reduction and fixation achieving satisfactory radiological and functional results in split depression lateral tibial plateau fractures extending into the posterior column.