A Clinical Study of the Tibial Condylar Fractures

Lee, Chang Ju; Kang, Jo Woong; Yang, Yung Sik; Kang, Sung Ho

Abstract

Fractures of the tibial condyles, involving as they do weight-bearing articular surfaces and important soft tissues such as collateral ligaments, cruciate ligaments and semilunar cartilages present a variety of problems in treatment and prognosis. Apley, Slee, and others maintained the opinion that most fractures of the tibial condyles could be managed conservatively. On the other hand, Rombold, Schatzker, and others seemed to consider closed treatment to be virtually a form of therapeutic nihilism and adviced open reduction. But recently most authors agree that the method of treatment has to be selected in each individual case, and recommend anatomical reduction of the fracture as possible and early knee motion. During 7 years period from January 1974 to July 1981, of the tibial condylar fractures treated at the department of orthopaedic surgery, Han Gang Shim Hospital, 41 cases that could be followed have been analysed according to the cause, classification, method of treatment and result. The following results were obtained from the analysis of 41 tibial condylar fractures. l. Of the 41 cases, 34 (83%) were male and 7 (17%) were female. 2. Of the 41 cases, 32 (78%) were due to traffic accident, 25 pedestrian, 7 occupant, 8 (20%) were due to fall from height. 3. Of the 41 cases, 31 (76%) were associated with other injuries. 4. Of the 41 cases, 30 were treated by conservative method with functionally acceptable result in 22 cases (73%) and 11 were treated by open reduction with functionally acceptable result in 9 cases (82%). 5. According to the Hohl and Luck's criteria, acceptable functional result was obtained in 31 (76%) cases.