FIXATION OF POSTERIOR TIBIAL PLATEAU FRACTURE AND ITS OUTCOME: A COMPARATIVE STUDY
Authors: Saodekar Hrishikesh , Agrawal Kamal 
Published: March 2020

Introduction: Tibial plateau fractures are complex injuries of proximal tibia which are produced by high- or low-energy trauma and principally affect young adult population. These fractures usually have associated soft-tissue lesions affecting the treatment. Posterior tibial plateau fractures (PTPF), may be medial or lateral, are common and they occur in about 28.8% patients as a part of bicondylar tibial plateau fractures. These fractures are difficult to reduce, therefore articular incongruity was not found to be detrimental factor in final functional outcomes. Studies have supported the fact that residual articular incongruence is well tolerated by proximal tibial plateau fracture in the form of minimal functional limitation or onset of arthrosis.  Anterolateral and anteromedial surgical approaches do not show adequate reduction and fixation of posterolateral and posteromedial fragments. To achieve this, it is advised to reduce and fix the fracture through specific posterolateral or posteromedial approaches that allow optimal reduction and plate/screw placement.

Material and Methods: This comparative prospective cohort study on done on 50 adult patients. Two groups were formed: Group A – double-plate fixation with both posterior and anterolateral  having 25 participants and Group B – single anterolateral plate fixation having 25 participants in PTPFs were followed up to 1 year. For Group A, the reduction was done under direct vision and assisted with fluoroscopy in two planes. The reduction was assessed with submeniscal approach. In Group B posterior fragment was reduced by screws through the anterolateral plate followed by CT scan. Patients were evaluated by radiographs every 6 weeks till fracture union is evident. Fracture union was assessed by cortical continuity and progressive loss of fracture line on X-rays. Functional status at 1-year postoperative CT scanogram was done at final follow up to record articular subsidence, nonunion, coronal, or sagittal deformities. Knee functions were assessed by the International Knee Documentation Committee 2000 subjective knee evaluation form and objective functional Knee Society Score (KSS).

Results: There were 22 male and 3 female in Group A while in Group B there were 20 male and 5 female. Right tibial fracture was observed in 15 cases and left in 10 cases in group A while in Group B right fracture was seen in 17 cases and in 8 cases left sided fracture. 23 cases each in group A and B were associated with RTA. Operative time (minutes) in group A and group B was 124 ± 26.7 and 79.52± 16.22 respectively. Total mean hospitalization days were 9.4±2.6 in group A and 8.2±1.5 in group B. Union time in group A was 14.6±3.4 weeks while in group B was 15.4±3.2. Statistically significant correlation was observed in group A and B with respect to KSS clinical outcome and KSS functional outcome. Flexion deformity was observed in 3 (12%) cases in group A and in 6 (24%) cases in group B.

Conclusion:  PTPF can achieve an early and satisfactory functional outcome. Rehabilitation and fracture healing are better in PTPF.

Keywords: Tibial plateau fractures, PTPF, Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF)