Tibial plateau fractures in elderly patients.

Abstract

Tibial plateau fractures are complex injuries which, if not adequately treated, can lead to invalidating sequelae. They constitute on average about 1% of all fractures, and up to 8% in patients over 65 years, and can be caused by both high- and low-energy trauma. Unlike in younger subjects, treatment of tibial plateau fractures in the elderly is not univocal and depends on the patient's functional needs, bone quality and systemic comorbidities. In this retrospective study, 49 patients with a mean age of 72 years, who underwent surgical treatment of a tibial plateau fracture, were assessed by the Rasmussen's clinical and radiological grading systems. Clinical and radiographic outcomes were satisfactory in 75.5 and 59.1% of cases, respectively. Data were also analyzed, in terms of fracture type, age and gender, to detect any statistically significant correlation between these parameters and clinical and radiographic outcomes.