A tibial plateau fracture in a knee dislocation: a subtle sign of major ligamentous disruption

Classification of tibia plateau fracture according to the "four-column and nine-segment"

PURPOSE

The existing classification systems of tibial plateau fracture (TPF) are suboptimal for clinical use and academic communication. A more comprehensive and universal classification system with the capability to analyze all patterns of TPF is urgently required to guide the clinical practice. This study aimed to analyze the incidence and fracture characteristics of TPF using a computed tomography-based "four-column and nine-segment" classification.

METHODS

According to the differentiated morphological characteristics, tibial plateau and proximal fibula were divided into four columns, which were subdivided into nine segments. Tibia plateau injury index (TPII) was innovatively introduced to represent the extent of injury. A total of 698 consecutive adult patients with 704 affected knees were included (377 females, 321 males, mean age 51.6 ± 12.9 years). Fracture mapping was retrospectively analyzed according to the new-style classification system based on the CT imaging.

RESULTS

371 (53.2%) left knees and 321 (46.0%) right knees were injured solely and 6 (0.9%) cases sustained bilateral injuries. The rates of one-column, two-column, three-column and all-four-column injuries were 30.5%, 31.5%, 28.0% and 9.9%, respectively. On average, 2.2 ± 1.0 columns and 3.6 ± 2.1 segments were involved, the mean TPII was 5.7 ± 3.0. The rates of mild, moderate and severe comminuted fractures were 50.0%, 37.5% and 12.5%. The most frequently affected columns were lateral column (572, 81.3%) and intermedial column (524, 74.4%), and the less frequently involved columns were the medial column (219, 31.1%) and fibular column (218, 31.0%). The most frequently affected segments were the posterolateral segment (465, 66.1%), anterolateral segment (453, 64.3%) and posteromedian segment (379, 53.8%). The least frequently involved segment was tubercle segment (85, 12.1%).

CONCLUSIONS

The novel "four-column and nine-segment" classification will be a beneficial classification system for clinical diagnosis, statistical analysis and prognostic judgment of tibial plateau fractures.

Return to Work or Sport After Multiligament Knee Injury: A Systematic Review of 21 Studies and 524 Patients

PURPOSE

To systematically review multiligament knee injury (MLKI) outcome studies to determine overall rates of return to work or sport after MLKI and risk factors for lack of return to work or sport after MLKI.

METHODS

A search was performed of MLKI outcome studies from 1950 to March 1, 2017. Ninety-two studies were identified. All included reported return to work, return to sport, or Tegner activity scores. Rates of return to work or sport were determined for overall population and by obesity status, injury severity, and presence of peroneal nerve or vascular injury.

RESULTS

A total of 524 patients (21 studies) were included. Return to high-level sport was low (22%-33%). Return to any level of sport was 53.6% overall (178/332), with a higher rate reported in studies with all surgical patients (59.1%, 114/193 patients) versus studies with mixed surgical and nonoperative treatment (46.0%, 64/139 patients) (P = .02). Rate of return to work with little or no modifications was 62.1% (146/200) and return to any work was 88.4% (190/215). Obese patients had lower postoperative Tegner scores than a general population (obese: mean 1.7 ± 1.2; nonobese: mean 4.5 ± 1.0; P < .001). Among studies without Schenck grade IV and V injuries, return to work with no or minimal modifications (100%, 12/12 patients) was higher than studies including grade IV and V patients (66.0%, 70/106 patients) (P = .017). Return to any work was higher in studies without vascular injuries (96.3%, 105/109) versus those including them (80.2%, 85/106) (P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Return to sport after MLKI occurs in approximately 60% of surgically treated patients, though return to high-level sport is lower. Return to work is frequently possible after MLKI though it may require workplace or job duty modifications. Obesity, nonoperative treatment, higher injury severity, and vascular injury are associated with poorer functional outcomes.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV, systematic review of level III and IV studies.

Management of knee dislocation prior to ligament reconstruction: What is the current evidence? Update of a universal treatment algorithm

Traumatic knee dislocation is a rare but potentially limb-threatening injury. Thus proper initial diagnosis and treatment up to final ligament reconstruction are extremely important and a precondition to successful outcomes. Reports suggest that evidence-based systematic approaches lead to better results. Because of the complexity of this injury and the inhomogeneity of related literature, there are still various controversies and knowledge gaps regarding decision-making and step-sequencing in the treatment of acute multi-ligament knee injuries and knee dislocations. The use of ankle-brachial index, routine or selective angiography, braces, joint-spanning or dynamic external fixation, and the necessity of initial ligament re-fixation during acute surgery constitutes current topics of a scholarly debate. The aim of this article was to provide a comprehensive literature review bringing light into some important aspects about the initial treatment of knee dislocation (vascular injury, neural injury, immobilization techniques) and finally develop an accurate data-based universal algorithm, enabling attending physicians to become more acquainted with the management of acute knee dislocation.

Reverse Segond fracture and associated knee injuries: A case report and review of 13 published cases

Reverse Segond fracture is originally described as an indirect radiographic clue for a specific injury complex of the knee joint that includes posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) rupture and medial meniscal tear. Herein, we describe a case with reverse Segond fracture associated with PCL avulsion fracture instead of PCL rupture. According to current literature review, reverse Segond fracture is not only associated with PCL and medial meniscal injuries, but also frequently associated with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and medial collateral ligament (MCL) injuries. Furthermore, medial meniscus and PCL may remain intact.

Adverse events, length of stay, and readmission after surgery for tibial plateau fractures

OBJECTIVES

To identify factors that are associated with short-term outcomes after open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) for tibial plateau fracture.

METHODS

Patients who underwent ORIF for tibial plateau fracture from 2009 to 2012 were identified in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. Patient characteristics were tested for association with any adverse event (AAE), severe adverse events (SAEs), infectious complications, extended length of stay (LOS), and readmission within 30 days.

RESULTS

A total of 519 tibial plateau fracture patients met inclusion criteria. Ten percent had AAE, 7% had SAEs, and 4% had an infectious complication. Extended LOS was defined as LOS >3 days (75th percentile LOS). Four percent of patients were readmitted. AAE was associated with increased American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class [relative risk (RR) = 3.8] and history of pulmonary disease (RR = 2.1) on multivariate analysis. SAE was associated with male sex (RR = 2.2) and increased ASA class (RR = 3.6). Infectious complications were associated with male sex (RR = 3.0), increased ASA class (RR = 3.3), smoking (RR = 2.8), pulmonary disease (RR = 2.9), and bicondylar fracture (RR = 2.7). Extended LOS was associated with increased age (RR = 2.1), increased ASA class (RR = 2.0), diabetes (RR = 1.6), pulmonary disease (RR = 1.8), bicondylar fracture (RR = 1.6), and increased operative time (RR = 1.6). Readmission was associated with increased ASA class (RR = 3.9), diabetes (RR = 2.9), dependent functional status (RR = 8.1), and discharge to home (RR = 5.7).

CONCLUSIONS

The above-identified factors associated with outcomes after ORIF for tibial plateau fracture may be useful for patient counseling.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Prognostic level II. See Instructions for authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

The contribution of MRI to the diagnosis of traumatic tears of the anterior cruciate ligament

When faced with a clinical suspicion of knee ligament injury, MRI nowadays has a central role in the diagnostic strategy. In particular, it is essential for assessing the cruciate ligaments and any associated meniscal tears. The objective of this review is to present the various direct and indirect MRI signs of tearing of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and then describe the lesions associated with it. The anatomical and clinical aspects are also discussed so that the contribution of MRI to the diagnosis and therapeutic management of an ACL tear can be better understood.

Medial tibial plateau fractures: a new classification system

BACKGROUND

: Fractures of the medial plateau are associated with significant soft tissue injuries. A predictive measure of which medial plateau fractures are at higher risk of associated injuries has not been described. The authors propose a simple classification that is both easy to remember, recognize, and predictive of associated injuries. A type A fracture is where the fracture line is medial to the intercondylar spines, a type B is where the fracture line is within the intercondylar spines, and a type C fracture is where the fracture line is lateral to the intercondylar spines.

METHODS

: All patients treated at a Level I trauma center for tibial plateau fractures between 1998 and 2005 were identified. The radiographs of these patients were reviewed, and 28 patients were included in the study. The medical charts were then reviewed, and any associated injuries were noted. The patients were placed into one of three groups based on their fracture pattern.

RESULTS

: Of the seven type A fractures, there was one patient with compartment syndrome (14%) and another with an ACL tear and medial meniscal tear. Of the 12 type B fractures, there were four patients with compartment syndrome (33%) and one with an ACL avulsion and medial meniscal tear. Of the nine type C fractures, there were six patients with compartment syndrome (67%), one of these also had a peroneal nerve injury, and another patient had an anterior tibial artery injury that required vascular surgery intervention.

CONCLUSION

: As the fracture line moves laterally the severity of the associated injuries increases. We think it is significant that the only neurologic and vascular injuries seen were in the type C fractures. Also, we noted an increase propensity for type C fractures to develop compartment syndrome. This information can be helpful during the initial evaluation of the patient so that the physician can be wary of these developing problems.

Marginal fractures of the medial tibial plateau: possible association with medial meniscal root tear

We report two cases of marginal fractures of the medial tibial plateau associated with medial meniscal root tears. Both patients sustained knee dislocations, with complete tears of the posterior horn medial meniscal root. One sustained a "reverse Segond fracture"; the other sustained an "anteromedial impingement fracture" of the tibial plateau. The meniscal root tears were arthroscopically confirmed and repaired. In the first patient, the integrity of the meniscal root repair was confirmed at a 6-month follow-up arthroscopy for lysis of adhesions. In the second patient, follow-up MRI at 10 months demonstrated a healed meniscal root. The association of medial meniscal root tear with marginal fractures of the medial tibial plateau has not been previously reported.