Functional outcome of tibial plateau fractures treated by Locking Compression Plates- A Prospective Study.

Introduction: Tibial plateau fractures represent the fractures involving the articular surface of proximal part of the tibia bone i.e. lateral or medial condyle or both, and with varying degrees of articular depression and displacement.Fixation by locking plates has led to dramatic improvement in the treatment of tibial plateau fractures. Method: It was a prospective study conducted on 30 patients with tibial plateau fractures at a tertiary care hospital in New Delhi, India. Patients were operated with locking compression plates and followed up for 18 months. Union was checked with serial radiographs and functional outcome was assessed with Rasmussen Functional Knee Score. Result:Twentynine patients achieved union at a mean time of 13.65 weeks, one patient had infective nonunion. Overall mean Rasmussen Functional Knee Score was 27 which is graded as excellent. Conclusion: Treatment of tibial plateau fractures with open reduction and plating with locking compression plates provides anatomical reduction and desirable functional outcome. Union is earlier and functional results are better for Schatzker type 1-3 when compared to type 4-6. Return to work with greater capacity largely depends on motivation.