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Physeal sparing arthroscopic fixation of displaced tibial eminence fractures: a new surgical technique

  • Knee
  • Published:
Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy Aims and scope

Abstract

We describe a novel physeal sparing arthroscopic technique for anatomic suture refixation of tibial eminence fractures and assess the mid-term results of six consecutive patients (McKeever type II n = 2, III n = 3 and IV n = 1). The mean follow-up was 5 ± 2 years. Five of six patients were painfree. All patients returned to their preinjury sport level. Mean passive ipsilateral and contralateral flexion was 143° ± 5°. The IKDC score was A in five and B in one patients. The mean Lysholm score was 97 ± 3%. The median Tegner score was 8 (range 6–9) preinjury and at follow-up. The mean Total Knee Society score was 197 ± 4 points. ACL laxity (KT-1000 134 N) showed a side-to-side difference of 2 ± 2 mm. Two of six patients underwent a tibial screw removal under local anaesthesia. No loss of reduction or grossly physeal disturbance was observed. The reported surgical technique showed excellent to good clinical and radiological results and may be a physeal sparing alternative to previously described procedures.

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Acknowledgment

We greatly thank Jürg Schmutz for preparation of the illustrations and graphics.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology, Kantonsspital Bruderholz, 4101, Bruderholz, Switzerland

    Michael T. Hirschmann, Ralph R. Mayer & Niklaus F. Friederich

  2. Praxisklinik2000, Freiburg, Germany

    Axel Kentsch

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  1. Michael T. Hirschmann
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  2. Ralph R. Mayer
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  3. Axel Kentsch
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  4. Niklaus F. Friederich
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Correspondence to Michael T. Hirschmann.

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Hirschmann, M.T., Mayer, R.R., Kentsch, A. et al. Physeal sparing arthroscopic fixation of displaced tibial eminence fractures: a new surgical technique. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 17, 741–747 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-009-0733-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-009-0733-0

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