Operative Treatment of Proximal Tibial Plateau Fractures through Lateral Submeniscal Approach

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was conducted to evaluate the clinical results of proximal tibial plateau fractures treated with open reduction and internal fixation through the lateral submeniscal approach and allowed early motion of the knee and to evaluate the effectiveness of the approach. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 1998 to December 2002, fifty four patients who underwent open reduction through the lateral submeniscal approach for proximal tibia plateau fracture and had a follow-up more than one year were included in this study. Clinical results were evaluated by postoperative radiographs taken at the last follow-up and Porter's assessment method. RESULTS: Anatomical reduction was achieved under direct vision through the submeniscal approach in most of the cases in this study. The postoperative radiographs showed anatomical reduction in 32 cases (59%) and adequate reduction with displacement within 2 mm in 20 cases (37%). The clinical evaluation by Porter's assessment method revealed that 49 cases (91%) were acceptable results of excellent or good at the final follow-up CONCLUSION: This study indicates that open reduction and internal fixation through the lateral submeniscal approach can be a good option for proximal tibia plateau fractures because it allows accurate reduction of the articular fractures, which is confirmed directly during operation, identification and repair of associated soft tissue injuries are facilitated, sufficient bone graft and stable fixation of the articular fragments under direct vision allow early motion of the knee.

A Comparative Study of the Floating L4-5) vs Lumbosacral L4-S1) Spinal Fusions / 대한정형외과학회잡지

In cases of L4-5 spinal fusions, L5-S1 segment used to be included in the fusion traditionally for fear of progressive deterioration of the lumbosacral motion segment after fusion above. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the advisability of extension to L5-S1 segment in cases of L4-5 fusion for an isolated pathologic condition in L4-5 sement. A retrospective review of 72 patients with spinal fusion for an isolated pathologic condition in L4-5 segment was undertaken to compare the clinical results and adverse effects in two groups. One group consisted of 39 patients with floating L4-5 fusion(SF), and the other group consisted of 33 patients with L4-S1 fusion(LSF). The age, pathologic condition at L4-5, and the fusion method(lateral fusion) were matched in two groups. The mean follow-up period was 43.6 months(ranging 24-69 months). Comparisons were made for operative problems, post-operative complications, the amount of changes in angular motion at the adjacent segments to fusion at the last follow-up compared to the pre-operative motion, and the clinical results of treatment. The LSF group took 38 more minutes and lost 245 grams of more blood in averages to complete the additional surgical procedures compared with those in SF group. Several considerable post-operative complications were one deep infection in SF group and three metal failures of sacral fixation with subsequent two fusion failures in LSF group which were mostly concerned with the sacral fixations. The changes of angular motion at follow up compared to pre-operative motion in SF group were 1.5° gain in average (ranging 3° loss-6° gain) in L3-4 segment and 0.6° gain in average (ranging 5° loss-5° gain) in the L5-S1 segment. Those in L3-4 segment of LSF were 2.8° gain in average (ranging 2°-loss 9° gain). Therefore the higher stress and subsequent degeneration are more likely expected above the L4-S1 fusion rather than below the L4-5 fusion. The satisfactory clinical results were 89.7% in SF group and 87.9% in LSF group without significant difference between two groups. In conclusion there is no need to include the L5-S1 segment in the L4-5 fusion when the pathology is limited to L4-5 segment.

Open Reduction of Intra-Articular Fractures of the Calaneus through the Lateral Approach / 대한정형외과학회잡지

Displaced intra-articular fractures of the calcaneus result in serious and prolonged disability. These injuries continue to pose a therapeutic challange and there remains a great deal of controversy regarding treatment, operative versus nonperative. The lateral approach for open reduction, popularized by Palmer, has been used by many authors, with high percentage of excellent results. We treated 21 displaced intra-articular fractures of the calvaneus in 18 patients by open reduction and internal fixation through the lateral approach from July 1990 to May 1992 and the patients have been followed from 12 to 36 months from the time of their injury. The clinical and radiographic analyses were as follows; 1. The most common cause of injury was falls from a height: 19 fractures in 16 patients(88.8%), Spine fracture was most commonly associated injury : 5 patients (27.8%). 2. Fracture was classified according to classification of Paley and Hall. Eight fractures were tongue type(no comminution 4, with comminution 4), 12 joint depression type(no comminution 8, with comminution 4), and a comminuted type. 3. The average bohler tuber-joint angle was