To assess the outcome of bicondylar tibial fractures, treated prospectively with fine wire fixation in the Limb Reconstruction Service.

Twenty patients with mean age 56 years with bicondylar tibial plateau fractures, were treated at the author’s institution with fine wire fixation over a three-year period. Ten followed road traffic accidents and four followed high-energy falls; The remainder mainly in the elderly resulted from a simple fall. There were four Schatzeker type V, and sixteen type VI. Four were open fractures (Gustilo grade III); Seven patients sustained associated fractures at the same time. They were treated according to a prospective protocol and were followed up for an average of thirty months, (11 – 51). The protocol included CT Scan Guided planning, closed reduction if possible and percutaneous interfragmentary screw fixation to reconstruct the articular surface, under image intensifier control; The external fixator was applied in neutralization. Mobilization and full weight bearing was encouraged as early as possible

Ten patients started full weight bearing between four and six weeks post operatively, in nine cases with other injuries weight bearing was delayed. All patients healed with an average time in the fixator of eighteen weeks, (9–25).

Fifteen patients had a range of movement from Zero to at least 120 degrees flexion. Using Rasmussen’s functional and radiological scoring system, fifteen out of twenty scored good or excellent. Complications included deep vein thrombosis in one patient, loss of fracture reduction in three, superficial pin tract infection which resolved with local pin care and a short courses of antibiotic in five patients, there was no deep infection.

The Sheffield hybrid external fixator is strong, permits early fracture recovery and weight bearing and may have significantly contributed to the high rate of good results in this group, of which more than 50% were over sixty years old. This technique is recommended for treatment of this difficult fracture.