OBJECTIVES: To review the short-term functional results of the surgical treatment of tibial plateau fractures using low profile peri-articular plates.
METHODS: Forty-nine displaced fractures of the tibial plateau in forty-nine patients were treated with open reduction and buttress plate fixation using low profile plate between 2002–2006. All aspects of their care, including tibial plateau fracture type, operative management and associated injuries, were documented. Preoperative and postoperative follow-up radiographs were analyzed for fracture classification and adequacy of reduction. All patients were followed up with clinical assessment and given Iowa knee functional outcome questionnaires. Data were also collected regarding return to work and sporting activities. The average age of the patients was thirty-eight years and the mean follow-up was 25 months, with a range of 12 to 52 months.. Of the forty-nine fractures studied, twenty-six were classified as Schatzker types I, II, or III, and the remaining twenty-three were types IV, V, or VI. Forty-six patients had closed injury while three had open fractures.
RESULTS: 48 of the fractures healed without additional surgical intervention or bone grafting except for one bicondylar fracture which needed amputation because of deep infection and soft tissue problem. Thirty eight patients had follow-up of greater than 1 year. The average time to radiographic callus was 6.2 weeks, and the average time to complete union was 16 weeks. The articular step-off average was 0.8 mm, with a range of 0 to 5 mm. The range of motion of the knee averaged 3° of extension to 120° flexion, which was an average of 87% of the total arc of the contralateral knee. The average Iowa Knee Score was 88 points (range, 72 to 100 points). The postoperative alignment demonstrated 1 patient with a malalignment of 4 degrees procurvatum and 1 patient with 3 degrees of valgus. There were two superficial wound infections and one case of deep infection.
CONCLUSIONS: Open reduction and internal fixation is a satisfactory technique for the treatment of displaced fractures of the tibial plateau, particularly for patients younger than fifty years. The use of low profile tibial plates appears to stabilize complex fractures of the tibial plateau with a low incidence of complications. The low profile plate functioned well in maintaining alignment and obtaining union in these high-energy fractures.
