scholarly journals The concept of direct approach to lateral tibial plateau fractures and stepwise extension as needed

2020 ◽  
Vol 46 (6) ◽  
pp. 1211-1219 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karl-Heinz Frosch ◽  
Alexander Korthaus ◽  
Darius Thiesen ◽  
Jannik Frings ◽  
Matthias Krause

AbstractMalreduction after tibial plateau fractures mainly occurs due to insufficient visualization of the articular surface. In 85% of all C-type fractures an involvement of the posterolateral-central segment is observed, which is the main region of malreduction. The choice of the approach is determined (1) by the articular area which needs to be visualized and (2) the positioning of the fixation material. For simple lateral plateau fractures without involvement of the posterolateral-central segment an anterolateral standard approach in supine position with a lateral plating is the treatment of choice in most cases. For complex fractures the surgeon has to consider, that the articular surface of the lateral plateau only can be completely visualized by extended approaches in supine, lateral and prone position. Anterolateral and lateral plating can also be performed in supine, lateral and prone position. A direct fixation of the posterolateral-central segment by a plate or a screw from posterior can be only achieved in prone or lateral position, not supine. The posterolateral approach includes the use of two windows for direct visualization of the fracture. If visualization is insufficient the approach can be extended by lateral epicondylar osteotomy which allows exposure of at least 83% of the lateral articular surface. Additional central subluxation of the lateral meniscus allows to expose almost 100% of the articular surface. The concept of stepwise extension of the approach is helpful and should be individually performed as needed to achieve anatomic reduction and stable fixation of tibial plateau fractures.

Author(s):  
Matthias Krause ◽  
Dario Guttowski ◽  
Klaus Püschel ◽  
Jan Philipp Kolb ◽  
Maximilian Hartel ◽  
...  

AbstractThe goal of surgical reconstruction of comminuted tibial plateau fractures is an anatomical reconstruction and stable fixation of the articular surface. This can be difficult due to poor visualization of the posterolateral and central segments of the articular surface of the proximal tibia. To improve visualization, the lateral approach can be extended with an osteotomy of the femoral epicondyle. In most cases, use of the extended lateral approach allows the whole lateral plateau to be visualized. Nevertheless, in some cases, an osteotomy alone is not enough to expose the entire fracture, especially the central segments of the tibial plateau. For these specific cases, we developed an additional technical trick that significantly improves articular visualization; the lateral meniscocapsular fibers are dissected allowing for central subluxation of the lateral meniscus, while leaving the anterior and posterior roots intact. With central subluxation of the lateral meniscus in comminuted tibial plateau fractures, the joint surface can be completely visualized, allowing an anatomical reduction even in highly complex fractures.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pu Ying ◽  
Lei Zhu ◽  
Wenge Ding ◽  
Yue Xu ◽  
Xiaowei Jiang ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: There is a great deal of controversy on whether routine MRI examination is needed for fresh fractures while the vast majority of patients with tibial plateau fractures receive preoperative X-ray and CT examinations. The purpose of the study was to analyze the exact correlation between CT images of lateral plateau and lateral meniscus injuries in Schatzker II tibial plateau fractures. Methods: Two hundred and ninety-six Schatzker II tibial plateau fracture patients from August 2012 to January 2021 in two trauma centers were enrolled for the analysis. According to the actual situation during open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) and knee arthroscopic surgery, patients were divided into meniscus injury (including rupture, incarceration, etc.) and non-meniscus injury groups. By measuring the value of both lateral plateau depression (LPD) and lateral plateau widening (LPW) of lateral tibial plateau on the coronary CT images, the correlation of which and lateral meniscus injury was analyzed. Meanwhile, the relevant receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was drawn to evaluate the optimal operating point of these two indicators which could predict meniscus injury. Results: Meniscus injury group mainly showed injuries involving the mid-body and posterior horn of the meniscus (98.1%, 157/160). The average LPD was 13.2 ± 3.2 mm, while the average value of the group without meniscus injury was 9.4 ± 3.2 mm. The difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The average LPW was 8.0 ± 1.4 mm and 6.8 ± 1.6 mm in two groups with a significant difference (P < 0.05). The optimal operating point of LPD and LPW was 7.9 mm (sensitivity-95.0%, specificity-58.8%, area under the curve (AUC-0.818) and 7.5 mm (sensitivity-70.0%, specificity-70.6%, AUC-0.724), respectively. Conclusions: The mid-body and posterior horn of lateral meniscus injury is more likely to occur in patients who had Schatzker II tibial plateau fractures when LPD > 7.9 mm and/or LPW > 7.5 mm on CT manifestations and these findings will definitely provide guidance for orthopedic surgeons in treating such injuries. During the operation, more attention should be paid to the treatment of the meniscus and full consideration is needed be taken to situations such as meniscus rupture, incarceration and other possible fracture reduction difficulties, poor vertical line, etc., in order to achieve better surgical results.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan P. Kolb ◽  
Marc Regier ◽  
Eik Vettorazzi ◽  
Norbert Stiel ◽  
Jan P. Petersen ◽  
...  

Background. The influence of increasing lateral plateau widening on the frequency of meniscal and ligamentous lesions in lateral tibial plateau fractures has been examined in very few studies using plain radiographs. Because the amount of this parameter cannot be measured accurately on plain radiographs, the purpose of this survey was to look for a possible correlation between the extent of lateral plateau widening, as measured on multidetector CT (MDCT) scans, and different soft-tissue injuries determined from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Materials and Methods. 55 patients with a lateral tibial plateau fracture were included in this retrospective case series. Patient age averaged 52.6 years (SD = 18.0). The degree of lateral plateau widening was measured on CT images. MRIs were screened for meniscal and ligamentous injuries. Results. We found a significant effect of increasing lateral plateau widening on the incidence of lateral meniscus lesions (P = 0.021), lateral collateral ligament tears (P = 0.047), and the overall quantity of meniscal and ligamentous lesions (P = 0.001). Discussion. MRIs are not widely used as a diagnostic tool in lateral plateau fractures of the tibia. Reasons might be the costs and the fact that it is a time-consuming examination. The results of this study may help to estimate the probability of specific soft-tissue lesions in lateral tibial plateau fractures based on measurements of lateral plateau widening on MDCT scans, and they may guide the decision for additional MRI and/or arthroscopically assisted repair.


2020 ◽  
Vol 46 (6) ◽  
pp. 1221-1226 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Korthaus ◽  
Tobias Malte Ballhause ◽  
Jan-Philipp Kolb ◽  
Matthias Krause ◽  
Karl-Heinz Frosch ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose Anatomic reduction in tibial plateau fractures remains to be demanding. For further visualisation of and approach to the joint surface an extended lateral approach using a lateral femoral epicondyle osteotomy and subluxation of the lateral meniscus was recently described. First clinical and radiographic mid-term results of this technique are presented in this feasibility study. Method Ten complex tibial plateau fractures treated with extended lateral approach and lateral meniscal subluxation were prospectively analysed. Clinical and radiographic results were objectified according to the Rasmussen scores. Results After a median follow-up of 8.6 (IQR 4.3) months good to excellent clinical and radiographic results were noted. The clinical Rasmussen Score showed a median of 25 (IQR 2.8) and radiographic a median of 17 (IQR 2.0) points. Conclusion Good to excellent clinical and radiological scores were obtained after using an extended lateral approach with lateral femoral epicondyle osteotomy and central meniscus subluxation. No approach specific complications could be observed.


2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (7) ◽  
pp. 1133-1137 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sherif Hamdy Mohamed Zawam ◽  
Ahmed Mahmoud Gad

BACKGROUND: Tibial plateau fractures present an important entity in orthopaedic fractures. Arthroscopic-assisted reduction and internal fixation is a good alternative to ORIF as it has the advantage of direct visualisation of the articular surface of the plateau, direct assessment of the reduction of the articular surface, and managing any associated intra-articular pathology. AIM: Our study aim is to determine the results of arthroscopic assisted reduction and internal fixation of tibial plateau fractures. METHODS: This study involved 25 patients with tibial plateau fractures presenting to the emergency department of Cairo University Hospitals between the periods of November 2016 and May 2017. The patients were followed up for an average of 14 months (11-18 months). According to Schatzker’s classification, five patients had type I, eleven had type II, and nine patients had type III fractures. RESULTS: The average time to full union in Schatzker type I was 9.1 weeks, in type II was 10.2 weeks, and in type III it was 9.4. The mean clinical Rasmussen score among the 25 patients was 26 (range, 24-30). A group of 19 patients (76%) had excellent results, (4 type I, 8 types II, and 7 types III) 6 patients (24 %) had good results (1 type I, 3 types II, 2 types III). Radiologic results were excellent in (14 cases) 56.0% and good results (11 cases) 44%. CONCLUSION: Arthroscopic assisted reduction and fixation of tibial plateau fractures have the advantages of checking the adequacy of reduction, avoiding the need for detachment of the meniscus, and allowing for accurate diagnosis and management of associated knee injuries. Therefore, we recommend that arthroscopic assisted reduction and fixation of tibial plateau fractures should be used more often.


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Assink ◽  
J. Kraeima ◽  
C. H. Slump ◽  
K. ten Duis ◽  
J. P. P. M. de Vries ◽  
...  

Abstract Fracture gap and step-off measurements on 2DCT-slices probably underestimate the complex multi-directional features of tibial plateau fractures. Our aim was to develop a quantitative 3D-CT (Q3DCT) fracture analysis of these injuries. CT-based 3D models were created for 10 patients with a tibial plateau fracture. Several 3D measures (gap area, articular surface involvement, 3D displacement) were developed and tested. Gaps and step-offs were measured in 2D and 3D. All measurements were repeated by six observers and the reproducibility was determined by intra-class correlation coefficients. Q3DCT measurements demonstrated a median gap of 5.3 mm, step-off of 5.2 mm, gap area of 235 mm2, articular surface involvement of 33% and 3D displacement of 6.1 mm. The inter-rater reliability was higher in the Q3DCT than in the 2DCT measurements for both the gap (0.96 vs. 0.81) and step-off (0.63 vs. 0.32). Q3DCT measurements showed excellent reliability (ICC of 0.94 for gap area, 1 for articular surface involvement and 0.99 for 3D displacement). Q3DCT fracture analysis of tibial plateau fractures is feasible and shows excellent reliability. 3D measurements could be used together with the current classification systems to quantify the true extent of these complex multi-directional fractures in a standardized way.


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