title: Medium-term results of percutaneous, arthroscopically-assisted osteosynthesis of fractures of the tibial plateau.
abstract: We carried out percutaneous, arthroscopically- and fluoroscopically-assisted osteosynthesis of fractures of the tibial plateau in 52 patients, of whom 38 were assessed using the HSS knee score and standing radiographs. We reviewed 31 AO type-B fractures and seven type-C fractures after a mean follow-up of five years (1 to 14). Fixation was achieved using percutaneous screws and/or an external frame; 33 associated intra-articular injuries, diagnosed in 21 out of the 38 patients, were treated arthroscopically. Subjectively, 94.7% of the patients reviewed were satisfied. According to the HSS knee score 78.9% of the results were excellent, 13.2% good, 7.9% fair and none was poor. Narrowing of the joint space was found in 28.9% of the injured and 5.3% of the unaffected knees and axial deviation of 5 degrees to 10 degrees in 15.8% of the injured and 10.5% of the unaffected knees. Of the 52 fractures, reduction was incomplete in one, and in two secondary displacement occurred, of which one required corrective osteotomy. Deep-venous thrombosis occurred in four cases. The technique has proved to be safe but demanding. It facilitates diagnosis and appropriate treatment of associated intra-articular lesions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Academic Hospital, Free University of Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Scheerlinck
authors.forename: C S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Ng
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Handelberg
authors.forename: P P
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Casteleyn
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001182:Arthroscopy; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal; D006801:Humans; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010027:Osteotomy; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011859:Radiography; D012086:Reoperation; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000209:etiology