Objective To investigate the biomechanics of a novel injectable calcium phosphate cement (CPC) composited by poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) combined with double-screw fixation in repairing Schatzker II type tibial plateau fracture, so as to provide the mechanical basis for the clinical minimally invasive treatment. Methods Ten matched pairs of proximal tibia specimens were harvested from 10 elderly cadavers to prepare Schatzker II type tibial plateau fracture model. Fracture was fixed by forcing injection of CPC (experimental group) or autologous cancellous bone (control group) combined with double-screw fixation. The samples underwent axial compression on MTS 858 material testing machine to measure the load-displacement, the maximum load, and compressive stiffness. Results The novel CPC had good injectable property at room temperature, which could fill in bone defect fully and permeated into the surrounding cancellous bone. The average bone mineral density of tibial metaphysis was (0.639 ± 0.081) g/cm2 in the experimental group and (0.668 ± 0.083) g/ cm2 in the control group, showing no significant difference (t=1.012, P=0.331). The maximum load in the experimental group [(4 101 ± 813) N] was significantly higher than that in the control group [(692 ± 138) N] (t=3.932, P=0.001). The compressive stiffness was (1 363 ± 362) N/mm in the experimental group and was (223 ± 54) N/mm in the control group, showing significant difference (t=3.023, P=0.013). Conclusion The novel CPC can effectively restore the biomechanical properties of tibilal plateau in repairing Schatzker II type tibial plateau fracture by means of forcing injection combining with double-screw fixation. It could be used as an effective bone substitute in the clinical application.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness and safty of posterior popliteal fossa S-shaped incision with double-window approach for the treatment of posterior column of tibial plateau fractures.MethodsA retrospective analysis was made on the clinical data of 13 patients with complex tibial plateau fractures involving both posteromedial and posterolateral columns between May 2015 and July 2017. There were 9 males and 4 females, aged 33-64 years (mean, 46.5 years). The causes of injury included traffic accident in 5 cases, falling from height in 2 cases, falling from electric bicycle in 4 cases, and falling because of skiing in 2 cases. The preoperative range of motion of the affected knees was (35.1±9.2)°. The time from injury to surgery was 7-19 days (mean, 13.3 days). All patients underwent a posterior popliteal fossa S-shaped incision through the window of medial heads of gastrocnemius muscle (medial window) and the window between medial and lateral head of gastrocnemius muscle (popliteal fossa window) approaches. After a good visual control of fracture reduction, both posteromedial and posterolateral columns of tibial plateau fractures were fixed with buttress plate respectively. Bone union, limb alignment, articular surface, and range of motion were estimated after operation. The American Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) score was used to evaluate functional outcomes of knees.ResultsAfter operation, 1 patient had fat liquefaction and dehiscence of incision, which healed after expanding the wound; the other patients’ incisions healed by first intention, and no vascular or nerve injury occurred during operation. All the 13 patients were followed up 12-18 months (mean, 16 months). The X-ray films showed that all patients obtained good fracture unions, the fracture healing time was 14-22 weeks (mean, 18 weeks). At 12 months after operation, the articular surface was smooth without collapse, and the knee range of motion was (109.5±13.6)°, showing significant difference when compared with preoperative value (t=18.879, P=0.000). No complication of infection, re-displacement of fracture, or secondary varus/valgus deformity was observed during follow-up. The HSS score was 82-96 (mean, 89.6) at 12 months after operation, with the result of excellent in 10 cases and good in 3 cases.ConclusionThe posterior column fracture of tibial plateau involving both posteromedial and posterolateral columns treated by double-window approach through posterior popliteal fossa S-shaped incision is safe and effective, with satisfactory results and good recovery of knee joint function.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical therapeutic effect of support plates on Schatzker type Ⅳ tibial plateau fractures.MethodsPatients with Schatzker type Ⅳ tibial plateau fractures underwent support plates treatment between April 2013 and September 2014 by using the medial incision or posterior medial incision, if necessary, with other auxiliary incisions, with limited contact compression plate, 1/3 tubular plate or " T” plate to support the fracture. ResultsA total of 14 patients including 6 males and 8 females with an average age of (35.2±9.8) years (ranged from 20 to 52 years) were enrolled in this study and followed up for 12–25 months with an average of (16.3±4.0) months. The knee joints were flexed 80–130° with an average of (97.9±13.1)° one month after the surgery and 90–140° with an average of (119.3±12.1)° three months after the surgery. One year postoperatively, the mean Hospital of Special Surgery knee score ranged from 78 to 96 with an average of 88.4±4.9. Last follow-up assessment of knee function according to Rasmussen scoring system showed excellent in 8 cases, good in 4 cases, and fair in 2 cases; the excellent and good rate was 85.7%. No postoperative complications such as infection, nonunion, vascular nerve injury, or internal fixation failure occurred. ConclusionThe support plates for the treatment of Schatzker type Ⅳ tibial plateau fractures can maintain good reduction, prevent the secondary collapse of the tibial plateau, ensure that knee joint has good alignment, less complications with vascular or nerve injuries, and finally get a satisfied function recovery.
Objective To investigate the improved reduction technique for depression fractures of the lateral tibial plateau and its effectiveness. Methods Between January 2008 and December 2010, 48 patients (48 knees) with depression fractures of the lateral tibial plateau (Schatzker II or III fractures) were treated. There were 32 males and 16 females with an average age of 45.8 years (range, 16-79 years). All fractures were fresh closed fractures, which were caused by traffic accident in 27 cases, by falling from height in 5 cases, by crushing in 8 cases, and by sustained falls in 8 cases. According to Schatzker classification, 29 cases were classified as type II and 19 cases as type III. The lateral cortex was cut off to expose the depression and compacted cancellous bone was elevated to reset the articular surface. After reduction, autologous iliac bone graft and locking plate internal fixation were used. Results Healing of incision by first intention was achieved in all patients, and no complication occurred. All patients were followed up 1.7 years on average (range, 1-3 years). At last follow-up, the knee extension was ( — 0.5 ± 0.3)°, and the knee flexion was (136.9 ± 8.8)°. X-ray films showed that the fracture healing time was 52 weeks and no breakage of internal fixation occurred. According to Rasmussen clinical score, the results were excellent in 35 cases, good in 10 cases, and fair in 3 cases. According to Rasmussen radiographical score, the results were excellent in 41 cases, good in 7 cases; there were 41 excellent scores and 7 good scores of articular reduction; all gained good recovery of coronal and sagittal alignment and condylar width. The articular surface collapse was (1.0 ± 0.7) mm at immediate postoperatively and (1.2 ± 0.7) mm at last follow-up, showing no significant difference (t= — 1.42, P=0.20), but significant differences were found when compared with that at preoperation [(12.2 ± 8.0) mm, P lt; 0.05]. Conclusion This improved technique can provide a satisfactory effectiveness of fracture reduction and can avoid loss of reduction. The short-term effectiveness is good, but futher follow-up is necessary to determine the long-term results.
Objective To investigate the cl inical effect of minimally invasive internal fixation percutaneous plate osteosynthesis (MIPPO) assisted by arthroscopy on tibial plateau fractures. Methods From September 2005 to December 2007, 29 patients with tibial plateau fracture underwent arthroscopy-assisted MIPPO, including 18 males and 11 females aged18-59 years old (average 34.7 years old). There were 8 cases of type II, 10 of type III, 5 of type IV, 3 of type V, and 3 of type VI according to Schatzker classification system. The fracture was combined with meniscus injury in 13 cases, anterior cruciate l igament injury in 4 cases, and medial collateral l igament injury in 3 cases. The time from injury to operation was 2-10 days. Firstly, the combined injury was treated under arthroscopy. Then, reduction of tibial plateau fractures was performed, bone grafting was conducted in the area of bone defect, and internal fixation using strut plates was performed after establ ishing subcutaneous tunnel via minimally invasion. Early rehabil itation activities were carried out for each patient 1 day after operation. Results No early compl ications such as poor heal ing of incisions, infections, and osteofascial compartment syndrome occurred. Over the follow-up period of 12-39 months (average 24 months), there was no failure of internal fixation, traumatic knee osteoarthritis, and inversion and eversion of the knee. The fractures healed within 3-4.5 months (average 3.5 months). The cl inical effect was excellent in 23 cases, good in 4 cases, and fair in 2 cases according to Lysholm knee rating system, and the excellent and good rate was 93.1%. Conclusion Arthroscopy-assisted MIPPO is a safe and effective way of managing tibial plateau fractures due to its features of minimal invasion, earl ier recovery, fewer compl ications, and simultaneous treatment of associated intra-articular injuries.
Objective To explore the treatment of low-energy tibial plateau fractures with arthroscopic percutaneous osteosynthesis. Methods From May 2004 to April 2008, 27 cases of tibial plateau fractures were treated with arthroscopic management. There were 19 males and 8 females, aged 18-61 years old (mean 41.5 years old). Fracture was caused by trafficaccident in 18 cases, by fall ing from height in 6 cases, by bruise in 2 cases, and by other in 1 case. There were 8 cases of type I, 12 cases of type II, 2 cases of type III and 5 cases of type IV according to Schatzker classification. The time from injury to operation was 3-15 days (mean 5.2 days). After symptomatic managements were performed arthroscopically in 11 cases of meniscus tear, 4 cases of medial collateral l igament rupture of knee joint, 3 cases of anterior cruciate l igament rupture of knee joint and 2 cases of cartilage fracture resulting in joint bodies, fracture was reduced and fixed with 2 or 4 cannulated screws (7 mm in diameter). Autograft of il ium was given 6 cases of bone defect. Early functional exercise was done. Results The operation time was 55-150 minutes (mean 93 minutes); the hospital ization days were 7-22 days (mean 16 days). All incision healed primarily. Edema of the affected leg occurred in all patients and subsided after 3 days of symptomatic management. In one patient who did not cooperate in functional exercise, adhesion occurred and normal function was recovered after by manual dissolution under conditions of anesthesia after 3 months of operation. All patients were followed up 6-36 months (mean 16.6 months). The range of motion of knee joint was 105-140° (mean 121°). According to Lysholm scale of knee joint, the score was 72-100 points (mean 93.6 points) 6 months after operation. The X-ray film showed no signs of osteoarthritis. Conclusion Arthroscopic percutaneous osteosynthesis yields satisfactory results and can be accepted as an alternative and effective method for the treatment of low-energy tibial plateau fractures.
Objective To compare the effectiveness of arthroscopy assisted percutaneous internal fixation and open reduction and internal fixation for Schatzker types II and III tibial plateau fractures. Methods Between August 2006 and April 2010, 58 patients with tibial plateau fractures of Schatzker types II and III were treated with arthroscopy assisted percutaneous internal fixation (arthroscopy group, n=38), and with open reduction and internal fixation (control group, n=20). There was no significant difference in gender, age, disease duration, fracture type, and compl ication between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05). The operation time, incision length, fracture heal ing time, and compl ications were compared between 2 groups. Knee function score and the range of motion were measured according to American Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) scorestandard. Results All patients achieved primary incision heal ing. The arthroscopy group had smaller incision length andlonger operation time than the control group, showing significant differences (P lt; 0.05). The patients of 2 groups were followed up 12 to 14 months. At 6 months, the HSS score and the range of motion of the arthroscopy group were significantly greater than those of the control group (P lt; 0.05). The X-ray films showed bony union in 2 groups. The fracture heal ing time of the arthroscopy group was shorter than that of the control group, but no significant difference was found (t=2.14, P=0.41). Morning stiffness occurred in 2 cases (5.3%) of the arthroscopy group, joint pain in 6 cases (30.0%) of the control group (3 cases had joint stiffness) at 1 week, which were cured after symptomatic treatment. There was significant difference in the incidence of compl ications between 2 groups (χ2=6.743, P=0.016). Conclusion The arthroscopy assisted percutaneous internal fixation is better than open reduction and internal fixation in the treatment of tibial plateau fractures of Schatzker types II and III, because it has smaller incision length and shorter fracture heal ing time.
Objective To investigate the short-term effectiveness of proximal tibial lateral raft plate combined combined with or without Jail screw fixation in the treatment of tibial plateau collapse fractures involved posterior-lateral column. MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed on 106 patients (106 knees) with tibial plateau collapse fracture involved posterior-lateral column admitted between January 2016 and January 2021. According to the combination with Jail screw fixation or not, patients were divided into control group (treated by lateral raft plate without Jail screw fixation, 52 cases) and study group (treated by lateral raft plate with Jail screw fixation, 54 cases). There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of gender, age, affected knee side, cause of injury, Schatzker classification, Tscherne-Gotzen classification, time from injury to operation, and preoperative lateral tibial plateau posterior slope angle (PSA), tibial plateau varus angle (TPVA), Rasmussen anatomical score (P>0.05). The operation time, cumulative fluoroscopy time, intraoperative blood loss, hospitalization stay, fracture healing time, complications, and lateral tibial plateau PSA, TPVA, Rasmussen anatomical score detected by X-ray films and CT before operation and at 1 year after operation of the two groups were recorded and compared. The number of cases of articular surface collapse in the two groups was recorded at 1 year after operation, and the effectiveness was evaluated by American Special Surgery Hospital (HSS) score. ResultsAll patients were followed up 12-32 months (mean, 19.5 months). There was no significant difference between the two groups in operation time, cumulative fluoroscopy time, intraoperative blood loss, hospitalization stay, and fracture healing time (P>0.05). There were 2 patients (3.7%) in the study group and 3 patients (5.8%) in the control group with superficial wound infection, which were cured after debridement and dressing change. There was no significant difference in the incidence between the two groups (χ2=0.252, P=0.616). There was no complication such as vascular and nerve injury, internal fixation failure, nonunion or malunion of fracture, and deep vein thrombosis of lower limbs in both groups. At 1 year after operation, 9 cases (17.3%) in the control group had joint collapse of 2-3 mm, while only 2 cases (3.7%) in the study group had joint collapse, showing significant difference (χ2=5.271, P=0.022). At 1 year after operation, the PSA, TPVA, and Rasmussen anatomical scores of the two groups were significantly improved when compared with preoperative ones (P<0.05); the differences of pre- and post-operative PSA, TPVA, Rasmussen anatomical score, and postoperative HSS score in the study group were significantly better than those in the control group (P<0.05). ConclusionThe lateral raft plate combined with or without Jail screw fixation can achieve satisfactory short-term effectiveness in the treatment of tibial plateau collapse fractures involved posterior-lateral column. Combined with Jail screw, it can enhance the fixation and avoid the occurrence of secondary articular surface collapse, which can be used as a better choice.
ObjectiveTo explore effectiveness of intermediate screw assisted reduction and fixation technique in the treatment of Schatzker type Ⅴ and Ⅵ tibial plateau fractures. Methods A clinical data of 22 patients with Schatzker type Ⅴ and Ⅵ tibial plateau fractures, who were admitted between June 2022 and December 2023 and met the selection criteria, was retrospectively analyzed. During operation, the intermediate screw assisted reduction and fixation technique was used. There were 14 males and 8 females with an average age of 46.3 years (range, 17-65 years). The fractures were caused by traffic accident in 13 cases, by falls in 5 cases, and by falling from height in 4 cases. According to Schatzker classification criteria, 9 cases were type Ⅴ and 13 cases were type Ⅵ. The interval between injury and operation was 5-12 days (mean, 7.9 days). The operation time, intraoperative fluoroscopy times, and length of hospital stay were recorded. The range of motion of knee joint and Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) score were recorded at last follow-up. X-ray films were taken to review the fracture healing. Rasmussen score, tibial plateau varus angle (TPVA), and posterior tibial slope (PTS) were estimated before operation, at immediate after operation, and at last follow-up in order to evaluate the fracture reduction effect and postoperative outcome. Results The operation time was 85-140 minutes (mean, 103.9 minutes). Intraoperative fluoroscopy was performed 7-15 times (mean, 10.1 times). All incisions healed by first intention after operation, and no complication such as nerve or blood vessel injury occurred. The length of hospital stay ranged from 8 to 17 days (mean, 12.4 days). All patients were followed up 10-22 months (mean, 14.8 months). At last follow-up, the range of motion of knee joint was 110°-140° (mean, 125°). HSS score was rated as excellent in 16 cases, good in 5 cases, and fair in 1 case, with an excellent and good rate of 95.5%. X-ray films reexamination showed that all fractures healed with the healing time of 12-17 weeks (mean, 14.8 weeks). No internal fixation failure occurred. Rasmussen score, TPVA, and PTS at immediate after operation and at last follow-up were significantly superior to those before operation (P<0.05). And there was no significant difference between immediately after operation and last follow-up (P>0.05). Conclusion The treatment of Schatzker type Ⅴ and Ⅵ tibial plateau fractures with intermediate screw assisted reduction and fixation technique is reliable, which can reduce the difficulty of reduction and fixation, improve the efficiency of reduction and fixation, reduce the operation time, achieve satisfactory reduction and fixation effect and postoperative prognosis, and achieve good recovery of knee joint function.
Objective To investigate the clinical effect of reconstructed bone xenograft plus buttress plate (T or L type) fixation in treating tibial plateau fracture. Methods From June 2001 to March 2003, 32 cases of tibial plateau fractures were treated by means of open reduction,reconstructed bone xenograft plus buttress plate (T or L type) fixation. There were 23 cases of bumper fracture, 5 cases of falling injury and 4 cases of crush injury by a weight; 20 males and 12 females, aged from 18 to 69 years with an average of 38 years. All patients had close fracture. Results All the patients were followed upfor 9 months to 23 months, tibial plateau fracture healed satisfactorily without sunken articular surface. According to Pasmussen criterion, the results were excellent in 16 knees, good in 12knees and moderate in 3 knees. The satisfactory rate was 87.5%. Conclusion Reconstructed bone xenograft plus buttress plate internal fixation has good effect in treating tibial plateau fractures because it can avoid the complication of transplantation of ilium.