The use of the Dynastab K external fixator in the treatment of the tibial plateau fractures The aim of the study was the assessment of the clinical use of Dynastab K (knee) external fixator in the treatment of intraarticular fractures of the proximal tibia. The study was conducted in the Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation Warsaw Medical University. Between November 2004 and December 2007, 29 patients were included in the study (12 females and 17 males). In the experimental group, consisting of 15 patients (7 females and 8 males) open reduction and fixation of the fracture was performed. After that Dynastab K external fixator was implanted to the femur and tibia with the use of pins. On the second day after the surgery rehabilitation of the knee joint was started. Fixator was being held on the lower limb for 6 – 8 week. In the control group (14 patients – 5 females and 9 males) after open reduction and fixation of the fracture, knee orthosis was applied. Orthosis was set up in 15 degrees flexion. After that time the rehabilitation was started. The final follow up visit was performed about 34 weeks after the surgery. The amount of articular depression, the range of motion of the knee joint, the amount of pain and the condition of soft tissues around pins were assessed during the study. The clinical and radiological outcomes were determined according to Rasmussen’s system and the condition of soft tissues with the use of Dahl’s scale. Resnick and Niwoyama criteria were used for grading of post-traumatic osteoarthrosis and Visual Analogue Scale for pain intensity. Subjective evaluation of knee function was performed by the self-made scale. There were no statistically important differences in the amount of articular depression before the operation, after reduction and on the last follow-up visit, between the experimental and control group. The mean range of motion of the knee joint was 127,5 degrees in the experimental group and 118,3 degrees in the control group. In the experimental group the amount of pain around the knee was gradually diminished after the operation, whereas in the control group the amount of pain was sharply reduced, but after unblocking the orthosis rised significantly. There were not noticed any pin site infection. 10 patients (66,7%) from the experimental group and 7 (50%) from the control group achieved very good results in the radiological scale. The results in the clinical scale were very good at 6 patients (40,0%) from the experimental group and at 3 patients (21,4%) from the control group. During the last follow-up visit the subjective evaluation of the knee joint function was 0,64 points better in the group treated with the Dynastab K external fixator.
