Use of a midline anterior incision for isolated medial tibial plateau fractures.

A technique using an anterior midline incision with a medial parapatellar arthrotomy and a medial full-thickness skin flap for the open reduction and internal fixation of isolated medial tibial plateau fractures is presented. The approach is advocated as an alternative to a posteromedial approach when medial tibial plateau fractures are present alone. The anterior approach is simple and familiar for orthopaedic surgeons. It offers good visualization, simplifies reduction, and provides a functional scar if future procedures are necessary.