Locking compression plate+T-type steel plate for postoperative weight bearing and functional recovery in complex tibial plateau fractures

Complex tibial plateau fractures can seriously affect quality of life and physical and mental health of patients.The anatomical relationship between the proximal tibial bone and soft tissue is complex,resulting in different types of tibial plateau fractures.Violent trauma can lead to displaced fracture,serious soft tissue injury,and potentially,dislocation of the knee joint.Therefore,tibial plateau fractures are extremely unstable.AIM To assess the use of locking compression plate(LCP)+T-type steel plate for postoperative weight bearing and functional recovery of complex tibial plateau fractures.METHODS Ninety-seven patients with complex tibial plateau fractures who underwent surgery at our hospital were selected for retrospective study.Forty-nine patients had been treated with LCP+T-type steel plate limited internal fixation(study group),and 48 patients with bilateral ordinary steel plate support(control group).The operation process index,postoperative rehabilitation related index,Rasmussen score of the knee joint,tibial plateau varus angle(TPA),tibial plateau retroversion angle(PA),and surgical complications of the two groups were compared.RESULTS The operation time and intraoperative bone graft volume in the study group were lower than those in the control group(P<0.05).There were no significant differences in surgical bleeding,anterior external incision length,postoperative drainage,hospital stay duration,and fracture healing time between the groups(P>0.05).There was no significant difference in the TPA and PA angle between the groups immediately and 18 mo after surgery(P>0.05).At 12 mo after surgery,the Rasmussen scale score was higher in the study group than in the control group(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in the Rasmussen scale score at 18 mo after surgery,and the radiology score at 12 and 18 mo after surgery,between the two groups(P>0.05).The postoperative complication rate in the study group(3.77%)was lower than that in the control group(15.09%;P<0.05).CONCLUSION LCP+T-type steel plate internal fixation has advantages in terms of minimizing trauma and enabling early postoperative functional exercise,promoting functional recovery and lower limb weight-bearing,and reducing postoperative complications.

Does a staged treatment of high energy tibial plateau fractures affect functional results and bony union?A case series

Purpose:Tibial plateau fracture(TPF)is a devastating injury as it shatters lower articular surface of the largest joint.Apart from bony injury,TPF can lead to great soft tissue envelope compromise which affects the treatment plan and outcome.In the present study,clinical results were assessed in cases of high energy TPFs treated in staged manner.Methods:Twenty-three(20 males and 3 females)patients of high energy communited TPFs(Schatzker typeⅤandⅥ)were consecutively treated.1 All the patient had compromise of overlying skin conditions.They were all successively scheduled for staged treatment plan which comprised of application of bridging knee external fixator on the first day of admission and definitive internal fixation after skin and soft tissue overlying the fracture were healed.Schatzker typeⅠ,Ⅱ,ⅢandⅣwere excluded from the study.Primary survey was done and patient who had head injury,chest and abdominal injury,pelvic injury and contralateral limb injury and open fractures were excluded from the study.The patients were also evaluated in terms of wound complications,axial and rotary alignment of limb,fixation failure,articular congruity and range of motion of the knees and post injury employment.Statistical analysis was done using SPSS software.Results:Maximum follow-up period was 13 months.All the fractures were united at final follow-up.Clinical evaluation was done with the Tegner Lysholm knee scoring scale.2 Excellent results were found in 78%cases and good and fair results in 22%cases.There was significant correlation between range of motion and the Tegner Lysholm knee score(p<0.001,Pearson correlation coefficient=0.741).The correlation between the score and the radiographical union duration was significant(p=0.006,Pearson correlation coefficient=-0.554).Conclusion:A staged treatment plan allows healing of soft tissue envelope,with avoidance of dreadful complications such as compartment syndrome and chronic infection.In addition,a staged treatment strategy does not hamper the fracture reduction,bony union and the functional results.

New Developments in Treatments of Tibial Plateau Fractures

Tibial plateau fractures account for 1.66–2.0% of all fractures in adults and about 8% of fractures in the elderly.[1] Tibial plateau fractures should be considered as complex injuries representing a wide fracture spectrum： soft-tissue compromise, neurovascular damage, compartment syndrome, and ligament and meniscus tears, which remain a big challenge, even for experienced orthopedic trauma surgeons. Although the best treatment modality remains controversial, we aimed to present new developments in the treatment of tibial plateau fractures for reference.

Comparison between computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging in clinical diagnosis and treatment of tibial platform fractures

BACKGROUND Tibial plateau fracture is one of the common fracture types.It occurs mainly in teenagers and is usually caused by a fall.After the occurrence of fracture,knee swelling,pain,limited activity,etc.greatly affect the patient’s exercise habits and lifestyle.X-ray,computed tomography(CT)and magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)were used in this examination.X-rays are relatively new and easy to operate.However,there are some errors in the observation of fracture collapse and fracture displacement.In recent years,CT and MRI have been actively used to diagnose various types of clinical fractures.They have more diagnostic power than X-ray film.However,some scholars believe that CT is also prone to errors in clinical application.The volume effect leads to missed diagnosis and misdiagnosis in some cases,while the multidirection scanning of MRI technology can effectively overcome the shortcomings of CT.To facilitate the selection of clinical examination regimens,this study further observed the diagnostic ability of these two regimens in the diagnosis of tibial plateau fractures.AIM To explore the value of nuclear MRI and CT in the clinical diagnosis of tibial plateau fractures.METHODS A total of 120 patients with tibial plateau fractures admitted from September 2017 to August 2019 were included.All patients were examined by nuclear MRI and CT scanning.The results were sent to senior physicians in our hospital to complete the diagnosis.RESULTS Nuclear magnetic resonance showed the same effects as CT in four aspects:fracture displacement,bone defect,fracture site and fracture comminution.There was no significant difference in the score data(P>0.05).Nuclear magnetic resonance and CT tended to be consistent in the B3,C2 and C3 fracture diagnosis coincidence rate,combined injury detection rate and fracture detection rate.The diagnostic coincidence rate of type B1,B2 and C1 fractures and the accuracy rate of overall fracture classification indicated that the MRI technique was significantly better than that of CT(P>0.05).CONCLUSION MRI and CT have good diagnostic typing in the diagnosis of tibial plateau fractures,but MRI is more accurate and may be preferred.

Dual split and dislocation——a variant of Schatzker type-I tibial plateau fracture: A case report

Schatzkter type-I tibial plateau fracture is a split fracture of the lateral tibial plateau in sagittal plane,consequent to valgus impaction caused by low velocity of trauma.However,a deep understanding of the different columns of the tibial plateau and patho-mechanisms of the injury led to the unmasking of atypical fractures around the tibial plateau.We have encountered 2 cases with unusual fracture pattern of the lateral tibial condyle caused by road traffic accidents.The fracture pattern and severity of injury deviate from the original description of Schatzker type 1;in view of dual plane split,there is rotation of the posterolateral column fragment along its sagittal plane plus grade-III medial collateral ligament injury.The patients were initially treated with knee spanning external fixator and after a latency of 5 days,definitive fracture specific fixation was done,combined with repair of grade-III medial collateral ligament injury.At the 6 months follow-up both the patients achieved satisfactory knee functions(knee society score case 1:100 and case 2:92)and returned to their jobs.The severity of fracture pattern and displacement as described should prompt for examination of associated ligament injury.Because of timely diagnosis,early and appropriate care promised an excellent function outcome even in such a severe nature of knee injury.To prompt the description of injury pattern we coined the name"dual split and dislocation"of lateral tibial plateau,as a complex injury variant of split fracture of lateral tibial plateau fracture.

Electric scooter injuries:Incidence and injury patterns at a level I trauma center

Purpose:Electric scooters(e-scooters)have become an increasingly popular mode of public transportation in recent years.As the incidence of related injuries rises,it is important to understand specific fracture patterns unique to e-scooters and electric bikes(e-bikes)to help guide management.The purpose of this study was to review the prevalence and describe specific fracture patterns of e-scooter and ebike related injuries at the busiest level 1 trauma center in the borough of Manhattan.Methods:Chart review to determine mechanism of injury was performed on all patients for whom an orthopedic consult was requested from 1/1/2021 to 12/31/2021.All patients whose injuries were sustained due to an e-scooter or e-bike were further reviewed for demographics,injury characteristics including fracture pattern,and definitive injury management.Any patients who had an orthopedic consult placed for a reason other than an acute injury were excluded.Descriptive statistics are reported as frequency(percentage)for categorical variables and means for continuous variables.Results:Of the 1815 orthopedic consults requested,1357(74.8%)were for acute injury management.Of those with acute injuries,119(8.8%)sustained 136 e-scooter or e-bike related injuries.There were 92(77.3%)males at an average age of(33.8±15.7)years.Approximately one-fifth of all patients presented in June 2021(26,21.8%).There was a 9.2%rate of open fractures.The 136 injuries were evenly split between the upper and lower extremities,with 57(47.9%)upper extremity,57(47.9%)lower extremity injuries,and 5(4.2%)concomitant upper and lower extremity injuries.The most common fracture patterns were ankle fractures(16,11.7%),followed by tibial shaft(14,10.2%),tibial plateau(13,9.5%),and radial head fractures(11,8.0%).There was a 33.3%incidence of associated posterior malleolar fractures in the spiral tibial shaft fractures,31.0%of posterior malleolar involvement and 18.8%of isolated vertical medial malleolar fractures in the ankle fractures,and 61.5%of posterior comminution in the tibial plateau fractures.Conclusion:E-scooter and e-bike related injuries have a high incidence of tibial shaft fractures,ankle fractures,tibial plateau fractures,and radial head fractures.There should be a high index of suspicion for posterior and medial involvement in lower extremity fractures sustained due to e-scooter or e-bikes.Identifying specific fracture patterns seen in e-scooter and e-bike related mechanisms will help guide management of these injuries.

Preventable iatrogenic cause of foot-drop in knee injuries with literature review

Purpose Common peroneal nerve palsy is quite disabling and every effort should be made to prevent its injury during the treatment.Methods We retrospectively reviewed the prospectively collected data of 7 cases of tibial plateau fractures in association with proximal fibula fracture from January 2019 to September 2019 who presented to emergency room of our hospital.Results In addition to fibular neck fracture,the first case had type 6 tibial plateau displaced fracture and the second case had displaced acetabular fracture with instability of knee with tibial tuberosity avulsion.common peroneal nerve palsy developed following application of distal tibial skeletal traction in both the cases.Other 6 such cases remained neurologically intact as traction was not applied to them.Conclusion Such iatrogenic complication could have been prevented if the injury pattern of"concomitant medial and lateral columns"of the proximal leg is kept in mind by the treating surgeon before applying skeletal traction.