Objective To compare the biomechanical differences among the three novel internal fixation modes in treatment of bicondylar four-quadrant fractures of the tibial plateau through finite-element technique, and find an internal fixation modes which was the most consistent with mechanical principles. Methods Based on the CT image data of the tibial plateau of a healthy male volunteer, a bicondylar four-quadrant fracture model of the tibial plateau and three experimental internal fixation modes were established by using finite element analysis software. The anterolateral tibial plateaus of groups A, B, and C were fixed with inverted L-shaped anatomic locking plates. In group A, the anteromedial and posteromedial plateaus were longitudinally fixed with reconstruction plates, and the posterolateral plateau was obliquely fixed with reconstruction plate. In groups B and C, the medial proximal tibia was fixed with T-shaped plate, and the posteromedial plateau was longitudinally fixed with the reconstruction plate or posterolateral plateau was obliquely fixed with the reconstruction plate, respectively. An axial load of 1 200 N was applied to the tibial plateau (a simulation of a 60 kg adult walking with physiological gait), and the maximum displacement of fracture and maximum Von-Mises stress of the tibia, implants, and fracture line were calculated in 3 groups. Results Finite element analysis showed that the stress concentration area of tibia in each group was distributed at the intersection between the fracture line and screw thread, and the stress concentration area of the implant was distributed at the joint of screws and the fracture fragments. When axial load of 1 200 N was applied, the maximum displacement of fracture fragments in the 3 groups was similar, and group A had the largest displacement (0.74 mm) and group B had the smallest displacement (0.65 mm). The maximum Von-Mises stress of implant in group C was the smallest (95.49 MPa), while that in group B was the largest (177.96 MPa). The maximum Von-Mises stress of tibia in group C was the smallest (43.35 MPa), and that in group B was the largest (120.50 MPa). The maximum Von-Mises stress of fracture line in group A was the smallest (42.60 MPa), and that in group B was the largest (120.50 MPa). Conclusion For the bicondylar four-quadrant fracture of the tibial plateau, a T-shaped plate fixed in medial tibial plateau has a stronger supporting effect than the use of two reconstruction plates fixed in the anteromedial and posteromedial plateaus, which should be served as the main plate. The reconstruction plate, which plays an auxiliary role, is easier to achieve anti-glide effect when it is longitudinally fixed in posteromedial plateau than obliquely fixed in posterolateral plateau, which contributes to the establishment of a more stable biomechanical structure.
ObjectiveTo explore the effectiveness of posteromedial and anterolateral approaches in the treatment of posterolateral tibial plateau collapsed and splited fractures.
MethodsNineteen consecutive patients with posterolateral tibial plateau collapsed and splited fractures were treated between August 2010 and August 2013, and the clinical data were retrospectively analyzed. There were 13 males and 6 females, with an average age of 36.9 years (range, 25-75 years). All cases had closed fractures, involving 8 left sides and 11 right sides. Fractures involved posterior column according to the threecolumn classification based on CT scans; according to the Schatzker classification, all fractures were type Ⅱ; according to the AO/Association for the Study of Internal Fixation classification (AO/OTA), all fractures were type 41-B3.1.2. The interval between injury and operation was 7-14 days (mean, 9 days). The reduction of collapsed fractures and implantation of artificial bone allograft were supported by T-shaped distal radius plate via the posteromedial approach. The splited fractures was fixed by less invasive stabilization system (LISS) plate via the anterolateral approach.
ResultsThe mean operation time was 69.0 minutes (range, 50-105 minutes). All incisions healed by first intention without neurovascular complications or wound infection. All patients were followed up 14-20 months (mean, 18.2 months). X-ray and CT examinations showed that collapsed tibial plateau and joint surface were completely corrected; bony union was obtained at 12 weeks on average (range, 10-16 weeks). No secondary collapsed fracture and knee varus or valgus occurred. The results were excellent in 12 cases, good in 5 cases, and fair in 2 cases with an excellent and good rate of 89.5% according to the Rasmussen's scoring system for knee function.
ConclusionThe posteromedial approach combined with anterolateral approach for posterolateral tibial plateau fractures can fully expose the posterolateral aspects of the tibial plateau, and thus collapsed and splited fractures can be treated at the same time, which will lead to less operative time and good outcomes in the treatment of posterolateral tibial plateau collapsed and splited fractures.
Objective
To introduce a surgical protocol based on the location and orientation of the apex of the medial condylar fracture line for the treatment of Schatzker type Ⅳ tibial plateau fractures and report the preliminary effectiveness.
Methods
The clinical data of 18 patients with Schatzker type Ⅳ tibial plateau fractures underwent open reduction and internal fixation between March 2012 and April 2016 were retrospectively analysed. There were 6 males and 12 females, aged 36-74 years (mean, 45 years). The causes of injury included traffic accident in 2 cases, falling in 14 cases, bruise injury in 1 case, and crush injury of heavy object in 1 case. All cases were fresh closed fractures, without injury of nerves and blood vessels. According to sub type of Wahlquist tibial plateau type Ⅳ fracture classification, there were 1 case of type A, 5 cases of type B, and 12 cases of type C. The interval of injury and operation was 6-16 days (mean, 9.5 days). The location of the apex of the medial condylar fracture line was determined the surgical approach. After operation, reduction of tibial plateau fractures was evaluated by the DeCoster score evaluation criteria. The knee joint function was assessed by short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment (SMFA) score and Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) score.
Results
The incisions all healed by first intension after operation without surgery related complications. All the patients obtained satisfactory exposure and reduction during operation. According to DeCoster score evaluation criteria, the results were excellent in 13 cases and fair in 5 cases. All the patients were followed up 12-30 months (mean, 18 months). X-ray films showed that all fractures healed at 10-16 weeks (mean, 12 weeks) after operation. There was no plate displacement, screw loosening, and other complications occurred during follow-up. At last follow-up, the SMFA score was 15-48 (mean, 28.5). The HSS score was 52-94 (mean, 81.1), and the results were excellent in 10 cases, good in 5 cases, fair in 2 cases, and poor in 1 case with an excellent and good rate of 83.3%; the main clinical manifestation was severe traumatic osteoarthritis symptom in 1 case with the fair result.
Conclusion
The surgical program should be developed based on the location and orientation of the apex of the medial condylar fracture line. Open reduction and internal fixation for treating Schatzker type Ⅳ fractures can achieve satisfactory effectiveness.
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.
Objective To investigate the effectiveness of osteotomy of non-core weight-bearing area of the lateral tibial plateau, reduction, and internal fixation in the treatment of tibial plateau fractures involving posterolateral column collapse. Methods A clinical data of 23 patients with tibial plateau fractures involving posterolateral column collapse, who had undergone osteotomy of non-core weight-bearing area of the lateral tibial plateau, reduction, and internal fixation between January 2015 and June 2021, was retrospectively analyzed. There were 14 males and 9 females with an average age of 42.6 years ranging from 26 to 62 years. The causes of injury included traffic accident in 16 cases, falling from height in 5 cases, and other injuries in 2 cases. According to Schatzker classification, there were 15 cases of type Ⅴ and 8 cases of type Ⅵ. The time from injury to operation was 4-8 days with an average of 5.9 days. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, fracture healing time, and complications were recorded. The depth of articular surface collapse of posterolateral column and posterior inclination angle (PSA) of the tibial plateau were compared before operation and at 2 days and 6 months after operation; fracture reduction of tibial plateau fracture was evaluated by Rasmussen anatomic score. The recovery of knee function was evaluated by Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) score at 2 days and 6 months after operation. Results All 23 patients were completed the operation successfully. The operation time was 120-195 minutes, with an average of 152.8 minutes; the intraoperative blood loss was 50-175 mL, with an average of 109.5 mL. All patients were followed up 12-24 months, with an average of 16.7 months. One patient had superficial wound infection after operation, and the incision healed after dressing change; primary healing of incision of other patients was obtained. The fracture healing time was 12-18 weeks, with an average of 13.7 weeks. No failure of internal fixation, varus and valgus deformity of the knee joint, and instability of the knee joint was found at last follow-up. One patient developed joint stiffness and the range of motion of the knee joint was 10°-100°; the range of motion of the knee joint of other patients was 0°-125°. At 2 days and 6 months after operation, the depth of articular surface collapse of posterolateral column, PSA, and Rasmussen anatomic scores significantly improved when compared with those before operation (P<0.05). There was no significant difference between the two postoperative time points (P>0.05). The HSS score at 6 months after operation was significantly higher than that at 2 days after operation (P<0.05). Conclusion For tibial plateau fractures involving posterolateral column collapse, reduction and internal fixation through osteotomy of non-core weight-bearing area of the lateral tibial plateau has the advantages of fully expose the posterolateral column fragment, good articular surface reduction, sufficient bone grafting, and fewer postoperative complications. It is beneficial to restore knee joint function and can be widely used in clinic.
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.
Objective To investigate the effectiveness of a new tibial plateau posterolateral column universal locking anatomical plate (hereinafter referred to as “new universal locking anatomical plate”) in the treatment of tibial plateau posterolateral column fractures. Methods Between October 2020 and December 2021, 14 patients with tibial plateau posterolateral column fracture were treated with a new universal locking anatomical plate. There were 7 males and 7 females with an average age of 59 years ranging from 29 to 75 years. There were 5 cases on the left side and 9 cases on the right side. The causes of injury included falling from height in 5 cases, traffic accident in 7 cases, and other injuries in 2 cases. The time from injury to operation ranged from 3 to 10 days, with an average of 6 days. According to Schatzker classification, there were 4 cases of type Ⅱ, 8 cases of type Ⅴ, and 2 cases of type Ⅵ. All fractures involved the posterolateral tibial plateau. Three column classification: two columns (anterolateral column+posterior column) in 4 cases, three columns in 10 cases. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, fracture healing, and complications were recorded. The reduction of tibial plateau fracture was evaluated by Rasmussen radiographic score, and the recovery of knee function was evaluated by Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) score. Results All 14 cases completed the operation successfully. The operation time was 95-180 minutes, with an average of 154 minutes, and the intraoperative blood loss was 100-480 mL, with an average of 260 mL. All patients were followed up 6-19 months, with an average of 12.5 months. All fractures healed, and the healing time was 15-24 weeks, with an average of 18.7 weeks. During the follow-up, there was 1 case of common peroneal nerve palsy and 1 case of traumatic osteoarthritis. There was no other complication such as vascular injury, incision infection, deep venous thrombosis of lower limbs, heterotopic ossification, bone nonunion, and failure of internal fixation. The reduction of tibial plateau fractures was good immediately after operation, and the Rasmussen radiological score was 10-18, with an average of 15.7; 3 cases were excellent, 10 cases were good, and 1 case was fair, with an excellent and good rate of 92.9%. The scores and grades of HSS at 3 months after operation and at last follow-up significantly improved when compared with those before operation (P<0.05). There was no significant difference between 3 months after operation and last follow-up (P>0.05).Conclusion For the fractures involving the posterolateral column of the tibial plateau, the new universal locking anatomical plate can provide strong fixation, satisfactory postoperative fracture reduction, and good recovery of knee function.
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 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.
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.
