Arthroscopically assisted osteosynthesis for tibial plateau fractures.

BACKGROUND

Options for management of tibial plateau fracture are numerous, and the outcome depends on several factors. With the inherent advantages of arthroscopy, the results of tibial plateau fracture have been greatly improved.

METHODS

Thirty-one patients were treated with arthroscopically assisted reduction for tibial plateau fracture, with an average follow-up period of 3 years. Evaluations were performed with the Hospital for Special Surgery knee score clinically, and with the Ahlbäck scale for osteoarthritis radiographically.

RESULTS

Eighty percent of cases were Schatzker type II, III, or IV, and over half (52%) of the patients had concomitant intra-articular lesions. Twenty-nine patients (93.5%) had satisfactory results according to the Hospital for Special Surgery knee score, and only one patient developed degenerative arthritis during the period of follow-up.

CONCLUSION

The arthroscopically assisted reduction of tibial plateau fracture is a safe and promising procedure. The results are comparable to traditional methods of open reduction.