The treatment of fractures has evolved from extensive open reduction and internal fixation to minimally invasive surgery and biological fixation. High energy bicondylar tibial plateau fractures pose a treatment challenge to most orthopaedic Surgeons. This study evaluates the results of biologic plating of bicondylar tibial plateau fractures.

Between January 2005 and January 2006 we treated 25 closed bicondylar tibial plateau fractures with minimally invasive surgery using locking plates and screws. Routine tomograms and CT scans were performed after a detailed history and physical examination were performed. Pre-operative planning and templating was performed in all cases. Surgery was carried out by the same surgical team using a tourniquet and an anterolateral or medial surgical approach. Bone grafting was also performed in some cases. The implants used were pre-contoured locking plates (Synthes, Smith & Nephew). The rehabilitative programme was commenced on day 2 by the same Physiotherapist and non weight bearing for 12 weeks.

Four patients refused to be part of the study and two were lost to follow up. Nineteen patients were available for follow up with a mean follow up of 10 months. There were 10 males with mean age of 35 years. Two patients were treated for early superficial wound sepsis which healed. Eight patients needed a bone graft at the time of surgery. The average range of movement was 5–110 degrees of flexion. There were no implant failures or non unions. At six months all patients walked unaided with no deformity and were satisfied with the operation.

As an alternative to external fixation of these difficult fractures we recommend a less invasive precontoured plate with locking screws. The advantages include sub-muscular, extraperiostal plate application through a relatively small incision, percutaneous screw placement through a guide, the fixed angle of the plate obviating the necessity of medial plate fixation, and plate lengths are available to span the metadiaphysis. The results suggest that biologic plating with a precontoured locking plate of bicondylar tibial plateau fractures may give better short term results with excellent function.