title: Mid- to long-term functional outcome after open reduction and internal fixation of tibial plateau fractures.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Tibial plateau fractures account for approximately 1% of all fractures. They usually occur after a direct high-energy trauma. Despite adequate treatment, these fractures can result in malalignment and secondary osteoarthritis (OA). Research concerning long-term functional outcome is limited. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate mid- to long-term functional outcome of surgically treated tibial plateau fractures. The secondary aim was to investigate whether radiological characteristics of OA one year after surgery are predictive of functional outcome at follow-up.
  
  
  METHODS
  All consecutive patients with fractures of the proximal tibia, which were surgically treated in our level-2 trauma centre between 2004 and 2010, were included in this study. Initial trauma radiographs were analysed for fracture classification, using both the Schatzker and AO/OTA classification systems, by three different raters. Immediate postoperative and 1-year postoperative radiographs were analysed for osteoarthritis by an experienced radiologist, using the Kellgren and Lawrence scale. Functional outcome of the included patients was measured using the Dutch version of the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seventy one patients out of a group of 96 included patients completed the survey. Median KOOS scores are 89.8% for pain, 91.1% for 'other symptoms', 89.7% for daily function, 72.5% for sports and recreation and 75.0% for quality of life. Median KOOS overall score is 82.99%. We did not find a correlation between the KOOS scores and the absolute age for any of the subscales. There was no significant relationship between radiological characteristics of osteoarthritis and functional outcome.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is the first study to describe mid- to long-term functional outcome after ORIF for all types of tibial plateau fractures, with the use of the KOOS. Patients should be informed about the likelihood of lower functional outcome in the long-term. This study shows that radiological characteristics of osteoarthritis are not related with lower functional outcomes in the mid- to long-term.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Maastricht Universitair Medisch Centrum, Netherlands. Electronic address: robin.vandreumel@home.nl.
authors.forename: R L M
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: van Dreumel
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma Surgery, Viecuri Medical Center, Netherlands.
authors.forename: B P W
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: van Wunnik
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Viecuri Medical Center, Netherlands; Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Viecuri Medical Center, Netherlands.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Janssen
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Viecuri Medical Center, Netherlands.
authors.forename: P C G
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Simons
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma Surgery, Viecuri Medical Center, Netherlands.
authors.forename: H M J
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Janzing
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D011379:Prognosis; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Functional outcome; KOOS; Knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome score; Long-term follow up; Medium-term follow up; Open reduction internal fixation; Proximal tibia fracture; Tibial plateau fracture