Objective To investigate the biomechanical characteristics of Schatzker type Ⅱ tibial plateau fracture fixed by different bone grafting methods and internal fixations. Methods Twenty-four embalmed specimens of adult knee joint were selected to make Schatzker type Ⅱ tibial plateau fracture models, which were randomly divided into 8 groups (groups A1-D1 and groups A2-D2, n=3). After all the fracture models were restored, non-structural iliac crest bone grafts were implanted in group A1-D1, and structural iliac crest bone grafts in groups A2-D2. Following bone grafting, group A was fixed with a lateral golf locking plate, group B was fixed with lateral golf locking plate combined compression bolt, group C was fixed with lateral tibial “L”-shaped locking plate, and group D was fixed with lateral tibial “L”-shaped locking plate combined compression bolt. Compression and cyclic loading tests were performed on a biomechanical testing machine. A distal femur specimen or a 4-cm-diameter homemade bone cement ball were used as a pressure application mould for each group of models. The specimens were loaded with local compression at a rate of 10 N/s and the mechanical loads were recorded when the vertical displacement of the split bone block reached 2 mm. Then, compressive and cyclic loading tests were conducted on the fixed models of each group. The specimens were compression loaded to 100, 400, 700, and 1 000 N at a speed of 10 N/s to record the vertical displacement of the split bone block. The specimens were also subjected to cyclic loading at 5 Hz and 10 N/s within the ranges 100-300, 100-500, 100-700, and 100-1 000 N to record the vertical displacement of the split bone block at the end of the entire cyclic loading test. The specimens were subjected to cyclic loading tests and the vertical displacement of the split bone block was recorded at the end of the test. Results When the vertical displacement of the collapsed bone block reached 2 mm, the mechanical load of groups A2-D2 was significantly greater than that of groups A1-D1 (P<0.05). The mechanical load of groups B and D was significantly greater than that of group A under the two bone grafting methods (P<0.05); the local mechanical load of group D was significantly greater than that of groups B and C under the structural iliac crest bone grafts (P<0.05). There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in the vertical displacement of the split bone blocks between the two bone graft methods when the compressive load was 100, 400, 700 N and the cyclic load was 100-300, 100-500, 100-700 N in groups A-D. However, the vertical displacement of bone block in groups A1-D1 was significantly greater than that in groups A2-D2 (P<0.05) when the compressive loading was 1 000 N and the cyclic load was 100-1 000 N. The vertical displacement of bone block in group B was significantly smaller than that in group A, and that in group D was significantly smaller than that in group C under the same way of bone graft (P<0.05). Conclusion Compared with non-structural iliac crest bone grafts implantation, structural iliac crest bone grafts is more effective in preventing secondary collapse of Schatzker type Ⅱ tibial plateau fracture, and locking plate combined with compression bolt fixation can provide better articular surface support and resistance to axial compression, and the lateral tibial “L”-shaped locking plate can better highlight its advantages of “raft” fixation and show better mechanical stability.
ObjectiveTo explore the effectiveness of posteromedial and anterolateral approaches in the treatment of posterolateral tibial plateau collapsed and splited fractures. MethodsNineteen consecutive patients with posterolateral tibial plateau collapsed and splited fractures were treated between August 2010 and August 2013, and the clinical data were retrospectively analyzed. There were 13 males and 6 females, with an average age of 36.9 years (range, 25-75 years). All cases had closed fractures, involving 8 left sides and 11 right sides. Fractures involved posterior column according to the threecolumn classification based on CT scans; according to the Schatzker classification, all fractures were type Ⅱ; according to the AO/Association for the Study of Internal Fixation classification (AO/OTA), all fractures were type 41-B3.1.2. The interval between injury and operation was 7-14 days (mean, 9 days). The reduction of collapsed fractures and implantation of artificial bone allograft were supported by T-shaped distal radius plate via the posteromedial approach. The splited fractures was fixed by less invasive stabilization system (LISS) plate via the anterolateral approach. ResultsThe mean operation time was 69.0 minutes (range, 50-105 minutes). All incisions healed by first intention without neurovascular complications or wound infection. All patients were followed up 14-20 months (mean, 18.2 months). X-ray and CT examinations showed that collapsed tibial plateau and joint surface were completely corrected; bony union was obtained at 12 weeks on average (range, 10-16 weeks). No secondary collapsed fracture and knee varus or valgus occurred. The results were excellent in 12 cases, good in 5 cases, and fair in 2 cases with an excellent and good rate of 89.5% according to the Rasmussen's scoring system for knee function. ConclusionThe posteromedial approach combined with anterolateral approach for posterolateral tibial plateau fractures can fully expose the posterolateral aspects of the tibial plateau, and thus collapsed and splited fractures can be treated at the same time, which will lead to less operative time and good outcomes in the treatment of posterolateral tibial plateau collapsed and splited fractures.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness and safty of posterior popliteal fossa S-shaped incision with double-window approach for the treatment of posterior column of tibial plateau fractures.MethodsA retrospective analysis was made on the clinical data of 13 patients with complex tibial plateau fractures involving both posteromedial and posterolateral columns between May 2015 and July 2017. There were 9 males and 4 females, aged 33-64 years (mean, 46.5 years). The causes of injury included traffic accident in 5 cases, falling from height in 2 cases, falling from electric bicycle in 4 cases, and falling because of skiing in 2 cases. The preoperative range of motion of the affected knees was (35.1±9.2)°. The time from injury to surgery was 7-19 days (mean, 13.3 days). All patients underwent a posterior popliteal fossa S-shaped incision through the window of medial heads of gastrocnemius muscle (medial window) and the window between medial and lateral head of gastrocnemius muscle (popliteal fossa window) approaches. After a good visual control of fracture reduction, both posteromedial and posterolateral columns of tibial plateau fractures were fixed with buttress plate respectively. Bone union, limb alignment, articular surface, and range of motion were estimated after operation. The American Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) score was used to evaluate functional outcomes of knees.ResultsAfter operation, 1 patient had fat liquefaction and dehiscence of incision, which healed after expanding the wound; the other patients’ incisions healed by first intention, and no vascular or nerve injury occurred during operation. All the 13 patients were followed up 12-18 months (mean, 16 months). The X-ray films showed that all patients obtained good fracture unions, the fracture healing time was 14-22 weeks (mean, 18 weeks). At 12 months after operation, the articular surface was smooth without collapse, and the knee range of motion was (109.5±13.6)°, showing significant difference when compared with preoperative value (t=18.879, P=0.000). No complication of infection, re-displacement of fracture, or secondary varus/valgus deformity was observed during follow-up. The HSS score was 82-96 (mean, 89.6) at 12 months after operation, with the result of excellent in 10 cases and good in 3 cases.ConclusionThe posterior column fracture of tibial plateau involving both posteromedial and posterolateral columns treated by double-window approach through posterior popliteal fossa S-shaped incision is safe and effective, with satisfactory results and good recovery of knee joint function.
Objective To investigate the cl inical effect of minimally invasive internal fixation percutaneous plate osteosynthesis (MIPPO) assisted by arthroscopy on tibial plateau fractures. Methods From September 2005 to December 2007, 29 patients with tibial plateau fracture underwent arthroscopy-assisted MIPPO, including 18 males and 11 females aged18-59 years old (average 34.7 years old). There were 8 cases of type II, 10 of type III, 5 of type IV, 3 of type V, and 3 of type VI according to Schatzker classification system. The fracture was combined with meniscus injury in 13 cases, anterior cruciate l igament injury in 4 cases, and medial collateral l igament injury in 3 cases. The time from injury to operation was 2-10 days. Firstly, the combined injury was treated under arthroscopy. Then, reduction of tibial plateau fractures was performed, bone grafting was conducted in the area of bone defect, and internal fixation using strut plates was performed after establ ishing subcutaneous tunnel via minimally invasion. Early rehabil itation activities were carried out for each patient 1 day after operation. Results No early compl ications such as poor heal ing of incisions, infections, and osteofascial compartment syndrome occurred. Over the follow-up period of 12-39 months (average 24 months), there was no failure of internal fixation, traumatic knee osteoarthritis, and inversion and eversion of the knee. The fractures healed within 3-4.5 months (average 3.5 months). The cl inical effect was excellent in 23 cases, good in 4 cases, and fair in 2 cases according to Lysholm knee rating system, and the excellent and good rate was 93.1%. Conclusion Arthroscopy-assisted MIPPO is a safe and effective way of managing tibial plateau fractures due to its features of minimal invasion, earl ier recovery, fewer compl ications, and simultaneous treatment of associated intra-articular injuries.
Objective To explore the treatment of low-energy tibial plateau fractures with arthroscopic percutaneous osteosynthesis. Methods From May 2004 to April 2008, 27 cases of tibial plateau fractures were treated with arthroscopic management. There were 19 males and 8 females, aged 18-61 years old (mean 41.5 years old). Fracture was caused by trafficaccident in 18 cases, by fall ing from height in 6 cases, by bruise in 2 cases, and by other in 1 case. There were 8 cases of type I, 12 cases of type II, 2 cases of type III and 5 cases of type IV according to Schatzker classification. The time from injury to operation was 3-15 days (mean 5.2 days). After symptomatic managements were performed arthroscopically in 11 cases of meniscus tear, 4 cases of medial collateral l igament rupture of knee joint, 3 cases of anterior cruciate l igament rupture of knee joint and 2 cases of cartilage fracture resulting in joint bodies, fracture was reduced and fixed with 2 or 4 cannulated screws (7 mm in diameter). Autograft of il ium was given 6 cases of bone defect. Early functional exercise was done. Results The operation time was 55-150 minutes (mean 93 minutes); the hospital ization days were 7-22 days (mean 16 days). All incision healed primarily. Edema of the affected leg occurred in all patients and subsided after 3 days of symptomatic management. In one patient who did not cooperate in functional exercise, adhesion occurred and normal function was recovered after by manual dissolution under conditions of anesthesia after 3 months of operation. All patients were followed up 6-36 months (mean 16.6 months). The range of motion of knee joint was 105-140° (mean 121°). According to Lysholm scale of knee joint, the score was 72-100 points (mean 93.6 points) 6 months after operation. The X-ray film showed no signs of osteoarthritis. Conclusion Arthroscopic percutaneous osteosynthesis yields satisfactory results and can be accepted as an alternative and effective method for the treatment of low-energy tibial plateau fractures.
Objective To compare the effects of cutting and retaining the pes anserinus tendon on effectiveness following tibial plateau fracture. MethodsA clinical data of 40 patients with tibial plateau fracture treated with open reduction and internal fixation with plate via posteromedial approach between January 2015 and January 2020 was retrospectively analyzed, including 18 patients retained the pes anserinus tendon (study group) and 22 patients cut the pes anserinus tendon (control group) during operation. There was no significant difference in gender, age, side of affected knee, cause of injury, Schatzker classification, time from injury to operation, and associated ligament injury between the two groups (P>0.05). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, hospital stay, anatomic reduction rate, incidence of complications, fracture healing time, knee flexion and extension range of motion at 2 weeks and 12 months, and knee extension range of motion at 3 months after operation were recorded and compared between the two groups. The visual analogue scale (VAS) score was used to evaluate the early postoperative pain improvement at 1, 3, and 14 days after operation and hospital for special surgery (HSS) score was used to evaluate the improvement of knee function at 3, 6, and 12 months after operation. ResultsThe patients in both groups were followed up 12-15 months with an average of 12.8 months. There was no significant difference in operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and fracture healing time between the two groups (P>0.05). The hospital stay in the control group was significantly longer than that in the study group (t=8.339, P=0.000). There was no significant difference in the anatomic reduction rate (90.9% vs. 83.3%) between the control group and the study group (χ2=0.058, P=0.810). There were 1 case of proximal tibial osteomyelitis, 3 cases of skin necrosis, 3 cases of traumatic arthritis, and 2 cases of lower deep venous thrombosis after operation in the control group, and 1 case of metaphyseal nonunion, 2 cases of traumatic arthritis, and 1 case of lower deep venous thrombosis in the study group, showing no significant difference in the incidence of complications (40.9% vs. 22.2%) between the two groups (χ2=1.576, P=0.209). In the study group, knee flexion and extension range of motion at 2 weeks and 12 months and knee extension range of motion at 3 months after operation were significantly better than those of the control group (P<0.05). VAS scores and HSS scores in both groups improved with time after operation (P<0.05), in addition, the HSS score and VAS score of the study group were significantly better than those of the control group (P<0.05). ConclusionCompared with traditional pes anserinus tendon cutting group, pes anserinus tendon retaining group can significantly reduce postoperative short-term pain, improve postoperative knee range of motion and knee function within 1 year after operation.
Objective To evaluate short-term effectiveness of staged management for complex tibial plateau fracture with severe soft tissue injury. Methods A clinical data of 12 patients with complex tibial plateau fractures and severe soft tissue injuries between July 2017 and March 2021 and met the selection criteria was retrospectively analyzed. There were 7 males and 5 females with an average age of 43.1 years (range, 33-58 years). All patients were traffic accident injuries and admitted to hospital within 24 hours after injury. The tibial plateau fractures were closed fractures. According to the Schatzker classification standard, the fractures were rated as type Ⅳ in 3 cases, type Ⅴ in 4 cases, and type Ⅵ in 5 cases. According to the Tscherne classification standard, the soft tissue injuries were rated as grade Ⅱ in 4 cases and grade Ⅲ in 8 cases. The treatment of all patients was divided into 3 stages. In the first stage, emergency trans-articular fracture fixation with external fixator was performed; in the second stage, the fracture reduction and internal fixation were performed and bone cement was implanted to fill the bone defect; in the third stage, the bone cement was removed and the bone graft was performed to repair defect. All patients performed joint function exercise after operation as early as possible. Results There was no neurological symptom after all staged managements, the incisions healed by first intention, and no complications such as incision infection or necrosis occurred. All patients were followed up 6-32 months (mean, 16.9 months). The fractures were all anatomical reduction confirmed by the X-ray films after operation. During follow-up, there was no obvious loss of reduction, loosening and rupture of internal fixator, or collapse of the articular surface. All fractures healed after 14-20 weeks (mean, 17.6 weeks). The posterior slope angle of the tibial plateau was (9.7±2.3)° and the varus angle was (3.9±1.9)° immediately after bone grafting, and were (8.5±2.9)° and (4.3±1.9)° respectively at 6 months after operation. There was no significant difference between the two time points (t=0.658, P=0.514; t=?1.167, P=0.103). At last follow-up, the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) score was 85-96 (mean, 91.2), and the range of motion of knee was 110°-135° (mean, 120.9°). Conclusion The staged management for complex tibial plateau fracture with severe soft tissue injury can obtain good short-term effectiveness, but the long-term effectiveness needs to be further followed up.
Objective?To observe the effectiveness of posterior approaches for the treatment of posterior coronal fractures of tibial plateau, and to analyze the fracture morphology, radiographic features, and the recognition of Schatzker classification.?Methods?Between June 2003 and June 2009, 23 patients with posterior coronal fractures of tibial plateau were treated surgically by posterior approaches. There were 15 males and 8 females with an average age of 38 years (range, 32-56 years). All patients had closed fractures. Fracture was caused by traffic accident in 15 cases, by sports in 3 cases, and by falling from height in 5 cases. According to Moore classification, there were 10 cases of type I, 9 cases of type II, and 4 cases of type IV. The X-ray films, CT scanning, and three-dimensional reconstruction were performed. The time from injury to operation was 3-14 days (mean, 6 days).?Results?After operation, 17 cases had anatomical reduction and 6 had normal reduction. Incisions healed by first intention. All cases were followed up 12 to 36 months (mean, 24 months). The average fracture healing time was 7.6 months (range, 6-9 months). No related complication occurred, such as nerve and vessel injuries, failure in internal fixation, ankylosis, traumatic osteoarthritis, and malunion. According to Rasmussen’s criteria for the function of the knee, the results were excellent in 14 cases, good in 7 cases, and fair in 2 cases with an excellent and good rate of 91.3%.?Conclusion Posterior coronal fracture of tibial plateau is rare, which has distinctive morphological features, and Schatzker classification can not contain it totally. The advantages of posterior approach include reduction of articular surface under visualization, firm fixation, less complications, and earlier functional exercise, so it is an ideal surgical treatment plan.
Objective To summarize the effectiveness of 3.5 mm T support plate fixation for simple postero-lateral tibial plateau fractures by posterolateral inverted L-shaped approach. Methods Between March 2011 and January 2016, 13 patients with simple posterolateral tibial plateau fracture were treated with 3.5 mm T support plate fixation by posterolateral inverted L-shaped approach. Of 13 cases, 6 were male and 7 were female, aged 28 to 52 years (mean, 43 years). The left side was involved in 5 cases and the right side in 8 cases. The causes of injury were traffic accidents in 6 cases, falls in 3 cases, and falling from height in 4 cases. All of patients had fresh closed fracture by X-ray, CT three dimensional reconstruction, and MRI. According to Schatzker classification, 4 cases were rated as type II and 9 cases as type III. The time between injury and operation was 5-9 days (mean, 7 days). Results One case had incision skin necrosis, which was cured after debridement and skin grafting; and primary healing was obtained in the other cases. The patients were followed up 10-16 months (mean, 13 months). The X-ray film showed that the fracture line was blurred at 3 months after operation, and disappeared at 12 months after operation. There was no complications of wound infection, major neurovascular injury, loosening or breakage of internal fixation, and dislocation of joint surface. The Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) knee function score was 94 (range, 89-97) at last follow-up; all were excellent. Conclusion The 3.5 mm T support plate fixation by posterolateral inverted L-shaped approach is one of preferred surgical method for the treatment of simple posterolateral tibial plateau fractures.
Objective To observe the cl inical results of treatment of Schatzker V/VI tibial plateau fracture involved posteromedial condyle through combined posteromedial and anterolateral approach and fixed with two or three plates. Methods From April 2005 to April 2008, 18 cases of tibial plateau fracture involved posteromedial condyle were treated, including 14 males and 4 females with an average age of 38.5 years old (range, 18-62 years old). According to Schatzker classification, there were 12 cases of type V and 6 cases of type VI. The posteromedial condyle were involved in 13 cases and bilateral posterior condyle in 5 cases. All patients were given posteromedial fragment and medial condyle fracture reduction through posteromedial approach firstly, and then lateral condyle fracture reduction through anterolateral approach, and injury of meniscuses and cruciate l igaments were treated at the same time. Three plates (lateral, medial, posterior) were used in 10 cases and two plates (lateral, posteromedial) in 8 cases. Results All wounds achieved heal ing by first intention without compl ications such as infection, flap necrosis, osteofascial compartment syndrome, chronic osteomyel itis, nonunion. All patients were followed up for 12 to 48 months with an average of 24.4 months. The mean flexion of the knee was 118.4° (range, 100-130°) 1 year after operation. According to Iowa evaluation system, 12 patients got excellent results, 4 good, and 2 fair; the excellent and good rate was 88.9%. Conclusion Combined posteromedial and anterolateral approach and fixed with two or three plates is effective in treatment of the Schatzker V/VI tibial plateau fracture involved posteromedial condyle. Anatomical reduction and rigid internal fixation of the posteromedial fragment are critical to successful operation.