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The Hoffa-like fracture of the tibial plateau: a clinical study

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Abstract

Background

Given the contrapositive link between the posterior tibial plateau and the femoral condyle and the similar injury cause, the fracture type should be the same as the well-known Hoffa fracture of the femoral condyle. This study aims to report a case series with Hoffa-like tibial plateau fractures to improve understanding.

Methods

We analysed six consecutive patients presented with Hoffa-like tibial plateau fractures in our hospital between October 2014 and December 2020, a period in which 1924 tibial plateau fractures were treated. Patients’ data on demographics, radiographs, surgical therapy, and assessment at a 12-month follow-up were retrieved.

Results

The incidence of Hoffa-like tibial plateau fractures was 0.31% (6/1924). This study included three men and three women, with a mean age of 45.8 years. The injury mechanism was either a fall from a great height or a vehicle accident. On average, 7.5 days after the injury, patients were surgically treated with open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) with place/screws via a lateral or posteromedial approach. At 10 to 15 weeks, all instances had osseous union on radiography. At 12-month follow-up, the HSS score of the operated knee ranged from 93 to 98 points (mean: 94.8), and Rasmussen radiograph score was from 15 to 18 (mean: 15.8). There were no intra-operative or post-operative problems.

Conclusion

This Hoffa-like fracture of the tibial plateau is a rare condition; however, it can occur. Orthopaedic surgeons should pay attention to this neglected but actually familiar fracture type.

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Data availability

All data will be available upon motivated request to the corresponding author of the present paper.

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful to J. Z. and H. M. of the Department of Orthopaedics for their kind assistance.

Funding

This study was supported by the National Science Foundation of China (No. 82102551).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, the 3rd Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050051, Hebei, People’s Republic of China

    Yanbin Zhu, Junyong Li, Kuo Zhao, Junzhe Zhang, Wei Chen & Yingze Zhang

  2. Key Laboratory of Biomechanics of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang, 050051, Hebei, People’s Republic of China

    Yanbin Zhu, Junyong Li, Kuo Zhao, Junzhe Zhang, Wei Chen & Yingze Zhang

  3. Orthopaedic Institution of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang, 050051, Hebei, People’s Republic of China

    Yanbin Zhu, Junyong Li, Kuo Zhao, Junzhe Zhang, Wei Chen & Yingze Zhang

  4. Chinese Academy of Engineering, Beijing, 100088, People’s Republic of China

    Yingze Zhang

Authors
  1. Yanbin Zhu
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  2. Junyong Li
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  3. Kuo Zhao
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  4. Junzhe Zhang
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  5. Wei Chen
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Contributions

Y. Zhang conceived the idea and designed the study. Y. Zhu. J. L, and W. C. retrieved the data. K. Z. and J. Z. prepared the figures and tables. All authors contributed to the preparation of the manuscript. Y. Zhu and J. L. wrote the manuscript and contributed equally.

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Wei Chen or Yingze Zhang.

Ethics declarations

Ethics approval

The study protocol was approved by the ethics committee of the Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University (No. G2021-024–1).

Consent to participate

Informed consent to participate in this study was obtained from each included patient.

Consent for publication

Informed consent to publish the relevant data was obtained from each included patient.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no competing interests.

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Zhu, Y., Li, J., Zhao, K. et al. The Hoffa-like fracture of the tibial plateau: a clinical study. International Orthopaedics (SICOT) 46, 1387–1393 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-022-05345-w

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-022-05345-w

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