Single lateral locked plate can be an effective implant in providing fracture stabilization of bicondylar tibial plateau fractures

Abstract

Background: Bicondylar tibial plateau fractures present a therapeutic challenge to the orthopaedic trauma surgeon, both in terms of the osseous injury as well as the concomitant soft-tissue insult. Double Plating with single incision or dual incisions provide more insult to the compromised soft tissue. However, single locking plate combines the technical advantages of an angular stable plate with those of the modern biological plating technique. Methods: The Study was held at Razi Orthopedic hospital in Kuwait. Between May 2012 and November 2013, 20 patients with a mean age of 37.65 years (Range from 24– 57 years) with bicondylar tibial plateau fractures with or without metaphyseal extension. Patients were diagnosed clinically, checked with standard X-rays, CT was done for all cases. Patients were treated by single lateral anatomically contoured locked plate through LISS or Polyaxial locking plate systems with or without additional screws from medial side. Radiological evaluation and functional assessment was done according to the Rasmussen Knee score. Patients were followed-up for an average of 12 months. Results: Union was achieved in all patients with a mean knee range of motion of 1.5°-130° (range: 0°-10° for extension lag, range: 100°-135° for flexion). The mean Functional Rasmussen Knee score at 6 month follow up (25.32±1.53 SD) ranged from (23.0-28.0). The mean Functional Rasmussen Knee score at last follow-up was (28.33±1.57 SD) ranged between (25.0-30.0) with significant P value (P value<0.001). The mean Anatomical Rasmussen Knee score at 6 month follow up (16.11±1.56 SD) ranged from (14.0-18.0). The mean Anatomical Rasmussen Knee score at last follow-up was (16.67±1.37 SD) ranged from (14.0-18.0) with insignificant P value (P value 0.096 ). Of the 20 patients, one patient had wound related problems, one patient had preoperative compartment syndrome, one patient suffered from hardware irritation and one patient had fixation failure upon which revision with double plating done for him. Conclusions: Surgical treatment of bicondylar tibial plateau fractures with the single lateral locked plate that was evaluated in our study can lead to a good functional and anatomical outcome and considered an effective system for providing fracture stabilization provided that the correct surgical technique is used. Awareness of potential hardware complications is essential.