Introduction and purpose: Fractures of the tibial plateau account for 1% of the total. Among them, 55–70% involve the lateral plateau with differences in separation and subsidence. Minimally invasive osteosynthesis under arthroscopic control increases the indications in these cases. Our purpose is to assess the long-term clinical and radiological outcomes.

Materials and methods: We carried out a retrospective analysis of the medium-term results of closed fractures of the tibial plateau treated with arthroscopic reduction and percutaneous fixation with cannulated screws. A series of 32 patients with displaced fractures of the tibial plateau underwent surgery between 1993 and 2004. We used the AO classification. We analysed the clinical, functional and radiological results.

Results: The mean follow-up was 6 years. We treated 12 type 41B1, 7 type 41B21, 5 type 41B22, 7 type 41B31 and 1 type 41B12. All the fractures were consolidated and 79.1% had anatomical reduction. External meniscal injuries that could be sutured were present In 11 cases (34.3%). Joint balance was complete in 24 knees. According to the Lysholm scale 23 had an excellent outcome and 9 good. One case presented infection of the surgical wound, which was resolved by surgical debridement and antibiotic therapy.

Conclusions: The results suggest that this is a good method for treating selected fractures of the tibial plateau.

Introduction and purpose: To present the clinical, radiological and MRI results of a series of collagen meniscus implants (CMI) with 4–7 years follow-up.

Materials and methods: We implanted 25 CMI from 1997 to 2000 in 20 men and 5 women between the ages of 18 and 48. Five cases were operated on for postmeniscectomy syndrome, 19 for degenerative ruptures and one for acute rupture. We reconstructed the ACL at the same time in 17 cases (68%).

Results: The Lysholm score went from a preoperative mean of 59.9±15.8 to 89.6±6.3 at 2 years (p< 0.003), while the visual analogue pain score went from a preoperative mean of 7.0±1.8 to 2.0±1.6 (p< 0.001).

Conventional radiology showed no deterioration of the joint line. With MRI we saw a certain degree of meniscal regeneration in 68% of the cases. However, the implant tended to become smaller and it was common to see extrusion in frontal sections.

Three cases had persistent pain on the medial side of the knee. In one we removed the CMI and performed an allogeneic meniscus transplantation (AMT). The second case was treated by valgus osteotomy of the tibia and then AMT in the stage. The last case was not treated.

Conclusions: After 4 to 7 years of BMI follow-up, we found no adverse effects for the knee. Clinically the outcome was good in most of the cases (22/25). Regeneration appeared to occur in over one-third of the cases, although the size was smaller than expected.