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Medium-term results after complex intra-articular fractures of the tibial plateau

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Journal of Orthopaedic Science

Abstract

Background

To present the medium-term results of intra-articular, bicondylar AO/OTA classification type C fractures of the tibial plateau in a retrospective study at a level-1 trauma center in 22 patients with 23 fractures.

Methods

Demographic data for the patients and details of current clinical and radiological follow-up findings were obtained to assess range of motion, clinical stability and alignment of the knee, and posttraumatic arthrosis (Kellgren/Lawrence score). Functional outcomes were assessed using the Lysholm score, Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) form.

Results

Patients’ mean age was 46 years (range 20–67 years). Leading causes of the fractures were high-energy traffic accidents and falls. There were seven C1, seven C2, and nine C3 fractures. ORIF was performed in 20 patients; in two patients an external fixator and in one patient cannulated screws alone were used. In 13/22 patients, an angle-stable locking plate (Less Invasive Stabilization System, LISS©) was used for osteosynthesis. The mean follow-up period was 67 months (range 36–109 months). The overall complication rate was 39.1 %, including four infections and four cases of pseudarthrosis (17.4 %). The average flexion of the injured knee was significantly lower in comparison with the contralateral side (124.9° vs. 135.2°). Knee stability did not differ statistically significantly. Current radiographs revealed no signs of posttraumatic arthrosis in 30.4 % of cases, mild signs in 34.8 %, clear signs in 26.1 %, and severe signs in 13 % using the Kellgren and Lawrence scale. The average Lysholm score was 66.2 points, and the average KOOS score was 67.84. One patient was in category A, and 2 were in category B in the IKDC overall categories, whereas 5 patients were in category C and 14 were even in category D.

Conclusions

Complex articular tibial plateau fractures are associated with a high rate of complications, continue to have a severe impact on function in the injured knee, lead to early post-traumatic arthrosis, and result in long-lasting subjective symptoms for the patients.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Mrs. C. Warlo for her help in the data acquisition and clinical examinations and Dr. J.H. Krannich for his advice on the statistical analysis.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Trauma, Hand, Plastic, and Reconstructive Surgery, Wuerzburg University Hospital, Oberduerrbacher Strasse 6, 97080, Würzburg, Germany

    Hendrik Jansen, Sönke P. Frey, Stefanie Doht, Kai Fehske & Rainer H. Meffert

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  1. Hendrik Jansen
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  2. Sönke P. Frey
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  3. Stefanie Doht
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  4. Kai Fehske
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Correspondence to Hendrik Jansen.

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Jansen, H., Frey, S.P., Doht, S. et al. Medium-term results after complex intra-articular fractures of the tibial plateau. J Orthop Sci 18, 569–577 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00776-013-0404-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00776-013-0404-3

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