Operative Treatment of Tibial Plateau Fractures - Analysis of the factors affecting to the clincal results

Seong, Byeong Yeon; Park, Wan Soo; Shin, Sang Yul; Woo, Yuen Ki; Lee, Taek Geon; Park, Man Jae; Lee, Seung Ki

Abstract

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between variable factors and clinical results following the operative treatment of the tibial plateau fractures.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The clinical and radiological analysis was performed on 29 cases of the tibial plateau fractures who had been treated with operative treatment and followed up for more than 1 year from January 1991 to December 1997. The analysis of clinical results was performed dividing into age, cause of injury, fracture type of Schatzker classification, associated soft tissue injury and method of operative treatment.
RESULTS
18 of 19 cases that were ranged of ages between 30 years and 59 years showed good clinical results as criteria of Blokker. Schatzker type II was noted 11 cases(37.9%) as most common. 13 of 14 cases of the type I,II and III, were showed good clinical results, compare to 10 of 15 cases of the type IV,Vand VI. 12 of 18 cases which were related with associated soft tissue injuries, were showed good clinical results.
CONCLUSION
We could expect good clinical results if early knee joint mobilization following open reduction and rigid internal fixation could be obtained. Factors affecting clinical results are age, type of fracture, associated soft tissue injuries. Bad clinical results were related with young age group under 30 and over 60, more than Schatzker classification type IV of high energy trauma and associated injury of anterior cruciated ligment or meniscus.