[Stability, function, alignment and associated injuries after surgical intervention and rehabilitation of tibial plate fracture].

Abstract

Introduction: tibial plateau fractures affect functionality of a large load bearing joint such as the knee, due to its multiple compromises, not only articular but also the ones including soft tissues. This study aims to evaluate the stability, function, alignment, associated injuries and complications of the knee after surgery and tibial plateau fractures rehabilitation.

Material and methods: a descriptive prospective observational study was carried out where patients with a tibial plateau fracture who had undergone surgery, that accomplish the inclusion criteria were included, in the period from April 2018 to June 2019. Analysis of variables was performed with t tests for independent samples.

Results: from a total of 92 patients with tibial plateau fracture, 66 (71%) were able to achieve the minimum six months follow-up. The most common fracture according to Schatzker classification was type II with 33.3%, and the most common according to Luo classification was the medial, lateral and posterior three column with 39.4%. More than 70% of patients who underwent surgery due to tibial plateau fractures developed soft tissue injury, therefore knee instability, specially with a higher rate of anterior cruciate ligament injuries or anterior instability.

Conclusion: an important proportion of patients who underwent surgery for tibial plateau fractures have knee ligament injuries.