OLD AND DISPLACED TIBIAL SPINE FRACTURE FIXATION BY OPEN APPROACH-PREFERABLE

In the era of athroscopy all intraarticular knee pathology including tibial spine fracture can be managed satisfactory results.In highly displaced situation and in delayed cases open approach is still a gold standard for managing this complex situation to get a saticfactory fracture reduction and fixation and ultimately good functional results.

Risk Factors for Arthrofibrosis in Tibial Spine Fractures: A National 10-Site Multicenter Study

Objectives: To identify risk factors for developing arthrofibrosis after TSF treatment. Methods: This was a retrospective, multi-center study across ten institutions of 448 patients <25 years old who presented to care with a tibial spine fracture between 1/2000 and 2/2019. Patient records were reviewed for a multitude of pre-operative, intra-operative, and post-operative characteristics. Patients were then separated into two cohorts based on if they suffered from post-treatment arthrofibrosis. Results: Chart review demonstrated that 43 (9.6%) of the patients suffered from post-treatment arthrofibrosis. There were no demographic differences observed between the two groups. However, based on MRIs at the time of injury, distal femoral and proximal tibial growth plates were more frequently closed in the arthrofibrosis group (17.6% vs 4.4%, p=0.023 for both comparisons). Additionally, there was no difference in Meyers & McKeever (MM) classification (p=0.597). All arthrofibrosis patients received operative treatment (p=0.003), though there was no difference in fixation technique (p=0.734). Intraoperatively, a higher number of screws were used in the arthrofibrosis group (p=0.002) with the placement of hardware more likely to be epiphyseal (p=0.007). Other operative parameters including number of sutures were not different. Post-operatively, arthrofibrosis patients were more likely to have been immobilized in a cast (p<0.001) with no difference observed for weight-bearing status. After multivariate regression, screw number (OR 8.9, CI 1.9-41.7, p=0.005) and immobilization in a cast (OR 7.8, CI 1.0-60.4, p=0.049) remained significant predictors of post-treatment arthrofibrosis. Conclusion: This serves as the largest study of tibial spine fractures to analyze risk factors for the development of post-treatment arthrofibrosis. Our study demonstrates that pre-operative factors were largely similar between groups, but that intra-operative decisions, including the number of screws used for fixation and placement of hardware in relation to the physis, were significant predictors of post-treatment arthrofibrosis. These findings may influence operative decision-making in tibial spine fracture patients. Additionally, post-operative immobilization in a cast should be avoided given the high risk of arthrofibrosis. [Table: see text]

RISK FACTORS FOR ARTHROFIBROSIS IN TIBIAL SPINE FRACTURES: A NATIONAL 10-SITE MULTICENTER STUDY

Background: Tibial spine fractures are common pediatric injuries with similar mechanism of injury to anterior cruciate ligament tears. Post-operative arthrofibrosis remains the most common complication following treatment of this injury, and many patients require subsequent manipulation under anesthesia. Several prior studies have examined risk factors for the development of arthrofibrosis, but with small patient populations and varying reported predictors. Therefore, our objective was to identify risk factors for arthrofibrosis in the largest known cohort of pediatric tibial spine patients. Hypothesis/Purpose: Identify risk factors for developing arthrofibrosis after TSF treatment. Methods: This was a retrospective, multi-center study across ten institutions of 448 patients <25 years old who presented to care with a tibial spine fracture between 1/2000 and 2/2019. Patient records were reviewed for a multitude of pre-operative, intra-operative, and post-operative characteristics. Patients were then separated into two cohorts based on if they suffered from post-treatment arthrofibrosis. Results: Chart review demonstrated that 43 (9.6%) of the patients suffered from post-treatment arthrofibrosis. There were no demographic differences observed between the two groups. However, based on MRIs at the time of injury, distal femoral and proximal tibial growth plates were more frequently closed in the arthrofibrosis group (17.6% vs 4.4%, p=0.023 for both comparisons). Additionally, there was no difference in Meyers & McKeever (MM) classification (p=0.597). All arthrofibrosis patients received operative treatment (p=0.003), though there was no difference in fixation technique (p=0.734). Intraoperatively, a higher number of screws were used in the arthrofibrosis group (p=0.002) with the placement of hardware more likely to be epiphyseal (p=0.007). Other operative parameters including number of sutures were not different. Post-operatively, arthrofibrosis patients were more likely to have been immobilized in a cast (p<0.001) with no difference observed for weight-bearing status. After multivariate regression, screw number (OR 8.9, CI 1.9-41.7, p=0.005) and immobilization in a cast (OR 7.8, CI 1.0-60.4, p=0.049) remained significant predictors of post-treatment arthrofibrosis. Conclusion: This serves as the largest study of tibial spine fractures to analyze risk factors for the development of post-treatment arthrofibrosis. Our study demonstrates that pre-operative factors were largely similar between groups, but that intra-operative decisions, including the number of screws used for fixation and placement of hardware in relation to the physis, were significant predictors of post-treatment arthrofibrosis. These findings may influence operative decision-making in tibial spine fracture patients. Additionally, post-operative immobilization in a cast should be avoided given the high risk of arthrofibrosis. [Table: see text]

RELIABILITY IN RADIOGRAPHIC REVIEW OF TIBIAL SPINE FRACTURES IN A TIBIAL SPINE RESEARCH INTEREST GROUP

BACKGROUND: Variability that exists amongst the radiographic measurement parameters associated with tibial spine fractures may have direct consequences when comparing, reporting, or treating these injuries. In developing data collection of tibial spine fractures amongst multiple centers, it is important to establish reliability in radiographic parameters. Therefore, we designed a study to validate the classification and a proposed cohort of measurements of tibial spine fractures amongst multiple institutions to assist with standardizing fracture classification and treatment decisions. METHODS: Radiographic assessment of de-identified acute tibial spine fractures was performed by members of the Pediatric Research in Sports Medicine (PRISM) Tibial Spine Research Interest Group. A descriptive Powerpoint presentation was provided to each reviewer demonstrating specific measurements and classification prior to review. Reviewers were also asked to provide treatment recommendations. DICOM files were provided to the surgeon through a web-based shared drive and reviewers were required to use the same imaging software. There were 40 patients included, determined through power analysis performed based on previous reliability studies and the number of participants. Assuming the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) will be .85 and 95% confidence interval to be 0.2, the sample size of 40 will achieve the desired 95% confidence. Data will be reviewed using both kappa and ICC reliability measures due to both categorical and continuous data points. RESULTS: A majority of radiographic measures demonstrated moderate ICC including posterior-proximal displacement (0.378), length and height of tibial spine fracture (0.466 and 0.535, respectively), and superior displacement of medial fragment (0.420). Good ICC was seen with superior displacement of the anterior tibial spine fragment (0.734). Poor correlation was seen with the measurements for anterior displacement, posterior sagittal displacement, and roof inclination angle. Classifying tibial spine fractures according to the historical Meyer & McKeever Classification demonstrated fair agreement (kappa = 0.347). 18 of 40 (45%) fracture patterns were classified by reviewers in three or more different classifications types while only 1 fracture pattern (Type 1) was agreed upon by all reviewers. A majority of reviewers recommended arthroscopic treatment with suture for more fracture patterns. However, there was fair agreement with the initial treatment regarding operative versus closed reduction (kappa = 0.328). CONCLUSION: Measurement of superior displacement of anterior tibial spine fracture on the lateral images is the only radiographic assessment with good correlation or agreement amongst a group of surgeons in a Tibial Spine Research Group. Classification of tibial spine fractures did not demonstrate acceptable agreement. Further studies and classification methodology is needed to standardize fracture patterns and thereby study outcomes based on pattern and treatment.