A New Approach to Surgical Management of Tibial Plateau Fractures

Importance of the Posterior Plate in Three-Column Tibial Plateau Fractures: A Finite Element Analysis and Clinical Validation

OBJECTIVE

Dual-plate fixation was thought to be the gold standard for treating complicated bicondylar tibial plateau fractures, yet it was found to be hard to accommodate the posterior column in three-column fractures. Currently, column-specific fixation is becoming more and more recognized, but no comprehensive investigation has been performed to back it up. Therefore, the objective of this study was to validate the importance of posterior column fixation in the three-column tibial fractures by a finite element (FE) analysis and clinical study.

METHODS

In FE analysis, three models were developed: the longitudinal triple-plate group (LTPG), the oblique triple-plate group (OTPG), and the dual-plate group (DPG). Three loading scenarios were simulated. The distribution of the displacement and the equivalent von Mises stress (VMS) in each structure was calculated. The comparative measurements including the maximum posterior column collapse (MPCC), the maximum total displacement of the model (MTD), the maximum VMS of cortical posterior column (MPC-VMS), and the maximum VMS located on each group of plates and screws (MPS-VMS). The clinical study evaluated the indicators between the groups with or without the posterior plate, including operation time, blood loss volume, full-weight bearing period, Hospital for Special Surgery Knee Scoring system (HSS), Rasmussen score, and common postoperative complications.

RESULTS

In the FE analysis, the MPCC, the MPC-VMS, and the MTD were detected in much lower amounts in LTPG and OTPG than in DPG. In comparison with DPG, the LTPG and OTPG had larger MPS-VMS. In the clinical study, 35 cases were included. In the triple-plate (14) and dual-plate (21) groups, the operation took 115.6 min and 100.5 min (p < 0.05), respectively. Blood loss in both groups was 287.0 mL and 206.6 mL (p < 0.05), and the full-weight bearing period was 14.5 weeks and 16.2 weeks (p < 0.05). At the final follow-up, the HSS score was 85.0 in the triple-plate group and 77.5 in the dual-plate (p < 0.05), the Rasmussen score was 24.1 and 21.6 (p < 0.05), there were two cases with reduction loss (9.5%) in the dual-plate group and one case of superficial incision infection found in the triple-plate group.

CONCLUSION

The posterior implant was beneficial in optimizing the biomechanical stability and functional outcomes in the three-column tibial plateau fractures.

Weight-bearing Guidelines for Common Geriatric Upper and Lower Extremity Fractures

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The purpose of this review paper is to summarize current weight-bearing guidelines for common geriatric fractures, around weight-bearing joints, of the upper and lower extremities.

RECENT FINDINGS

There is an increasing amount of literature investigating the safety and efficacy of early weight-bearing in geriatric fractures, particularly of the lower extremity. Many recent studies, although limited, suggest that early weight-bearing may be safe for geriatric distal femur and ankle fractures. Given the limited data pertaining to early weight-bearing in geriatric fractures, it is difficult to establish concrete weight-bearing guidelines in this population. However, in the literature available, early weight-bearing appears to be safe and effective across most injuries. The degree and time to weight-bearing vary significantly based on fracture type and treatment method. Future studies investigating postoperative weight-bearing protocols should focus on the growing geriatric population and identify methods to address specific barriers to early weight-bearing in these patients such as cognitive impairment, dependence on caregivers, and variations in post-acute disposition.

Modified gastrocnemius splitting anatomic approach to the tibial plateau. Medium-term evaluation

BACKGROUND

Posterior tibial plateau fractures, including avulsion fractures of the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) insertion, represent a challenge for the orthopedic trauma surgeon. These injuries have gained a new perspective both diagnostically and therapeutically after the regular use of multiplanar computed tomography. In the herein study, we describe the outcome of patients sustaining a tibial plateau fracture with posterior articular involvement treated by open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) using our modified gastrocnemius splitting anatomic approach.

METHODS

This observational retrospective descriptive study was conducted at Complejo Medico de la Policia Federal Argentina Churruca-Visca. All patients were treated by ORIF by our team through our modified gastrocnemius splitting anatomic approach, and followed-up for a minimum of 12 months.

RESULTS

A total of 18 patients sustaining plateau fracture were treated by this approach. Satisfactory tomographic reduction with articular gap and/or step-off <2 mm was achieved in 16. The mean time to the return to activities of daily living was 192.2 days.

CONCLUSION

The modified gastrocnemius splitting anatomic approach represents a good alternative for the management of tibial plateau fractures involving the posterior quadrants.

Analysis of Risk Factors and Surgical Strategy of Knee Traumatic Arthritis after Internal Plate Fixation in the Treatment of Tibial Plateau Fracture

Objective

To explore the risk factors and surgical strategies of knee traumatic arthritis after internal plate fixation in the treatment of tibial plateau fracture.

Methods

A total of 300 patients with tibial plateau fractures treated with internal plate fixation in our hospital from January 2019 to April 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. According to whether secondary knee traumatic arthritis occurred after operation, they were divided into control group and research group. The control group was nonsecondary knee traumatic arthritis (n = 231), and the research group was secondary knee traumatic arthritis (n = 69). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was used in this research.

Results

There were significant differences in fracture classification, injury method, osteoporosis, and the time from injury to operation between the two groups, and there are statistically significant differences between groups (P < 0.05). Fracture type, injury method, osteoporosis, and time from injury to operation were the influencing factors of tibial internal fixation, and there are statistically significant differences between groups (P < 0.05). Platform fracture was an independent risk factor for postoperative knee joint traumatic arthritis, and there are statistically significant differences between groups (P < 0.05). The HSS scores of both groups increased after operation, and there are statistically significant differences between groups (P < 0.05). No loosening of the prosthesis was found in all 69 patients with postoperative X-ray examination.

Conclusion

Fracture classification, injury mode, osteoporosis, and time from injury to operation are independent risk factors for knee traumatic arthritis in the treatment of tibial plateau fractures with internal plate fixation, incidence of knee trauma.

Early weight bearing in tibial plateau fractures treated with ORIF: a systematic review of literature

BACKGROUND

To review the current clinical evidence on advantages and risks of early weight bearing (EWB) after internal fixation for tibial plateau fracture.

METHODS

Data source: PubMed and Google Scholar from inception of database to 20 August 2021, using PRISMA guidelines. The included studies were randomized controlled trials, prospective and retrospective observational studies, case reports. Data extraction was performed independently by 2 reviewers. Collected data were compared to verify agreement. Statistical analysis was not performed in this study.

RESULTS

The literature search produced 174 papers from PubMed and 186 from Google Scholar, with a total amount of 360 papers. The two reviewers excluded 301 papers by title or duplicates. Of the 59 remaining, 33 were excluded after reading the abstract, and 17 by reading the full text. Thus, 9 papers were finally included in the review.

CONCLUSIONS

EWB can be considered safe and effective in selected cases after internal fixation for tibial plateau fractures. Level of evidence Therapeutic Level III.

Highly impacted bone allograft may allow immediate weight bearing in tibial plateau fractures: A case report

Introduction

Proximal tibial fractures are common with an incidence of 10.2/100.000. Those displaced and involving the articular surface will often require surgical treatment. However, no consensus exists on whether to allow the patient early weight bearing or not. We developed a technique using structural bone chips, highly impacted under the articular surface, to permit immediate weight bearing after surgery.

Patient

The patient was a 44-year old male who suffered a lateral tibial plateau fracture (AO type 41B2).

Intervention

We used an anterolateral approach with an S-shaped incision. A small window in the tibia was made using an awl, and the articular surface was reduced under radiographic imaging. The bone allograft was prepared by splitting the frozen femoral head in quarters and then taking large pieces of bone with a bone rongeur forceps avoiding the cartilage. The large pieces of bone were gathered in a small tray and thereafter compressed into the drill guide insert. The drill guide filled with bone graft was then inserted into the tibia window and directed in the appropriate position guided by radiography. Hereafter, the bone graft was impacted under the articular surface with force using the appropriate trocar and a hammer, and the fracture was finally reduced. Finally, the fracture was fixated utilizing an angular stable plate.

Outcome

The patient was followed up one year postoperatively and allowed immediate weight bearing after surgery. No subsequent articular collapse occurred.

Discussion

In this case, we present a proximal tibial fracture with articular depression, which was surgically treated with a highly impacted bone allograft of large pieces and a locking plate. The patient was allowed immediate weight bearing and no subsequent articular collapse occurred.