[Arthroscope combined with minimally invasive internal fixation for the treatment of tibial plateau fractures].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the clinical results of arthroscope combined with minimally invasive internal fixation for the treatment of tibial plateau fractures.

METHODS

Forty-two patients with tibial plateau fractures were treated with arthroscopically assisted limited invasive internal fixation. There were 27 males and 15 females, with an average age of 38 years. Tibial plateau fractures were classified according to Schatzker staging system. There were 5 patients with type-I, 15 patients with type-II, 12 patients with type-III, 7 patients with type-IV, 2 patients with type-V and 1 patient with type-VI. Forty patients were followed up, with an average of 18 months. Evaluations were performed according to Rasmussen functional score system.

RESULTS

Over half (55%) of the patients had concomitant intra-articular lesions. The mean Rasmussen functional score was 27 +/- 1. Nineteen patients got an excellent result, 16 good,and 5 fair. One patient suffered from joint stiffness (ROM: 0 to 90 degrees) and another patient developed degenerative arthritis during the follow-up period.

CONCLUSION

The treatment has advantages of avoiding open the articular capsule, dealing with intra-articular lesions at the same time, decreasing the postoperative complications and profiting the recovery of knee joint.