title: Functional and radiological outcome after intra-articular tibial plateau fractures.
abstract: A follow-up study was performed to assess the functional and radiological outcome after operative treatment of tibial plateau fractures. Of 62 patients operated upon from 1985 to 1993, 46 patients were traced and re-examined. Follow-up averaged 60 months. Three functional scores were applied: the HSS knee score, the Lysholm score and the Tegner score. Radiographs obtained at follow-up were rated for deformity and signs of arthrosis, using a score described by Reswick and Niwayama. Patients reported most functional complaints during the first 3 years and after 6 years. Patients seen between 3 and 6 years after injury showed better functional scores. Arthritic changes were seen from 5 years after the fracture. Patients over 60 years of age seemed to suffer less functional loss than younger patients, indicating that operative treatment should not be withheld on grounds of age alone.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery and Traumatology, University Hospital Maastricht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: P F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Houben
authors.forename: E S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: van der Linden
authors.forename: F A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: van den Wildenberg
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Stapert
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001168:Arthritis / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery*; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000150:complications / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome