Prevalence of Meniscus Tear in Tibial Plateau Fractures

PURPOSE: To evaluate the pattern of meniscal tear according to the type of the tibial plateau fracture of Schatzker. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty two cases of tibial condyle fracture treated between the period of 1994 and 2003 were evaluated. The fracture type was classified according to Schatzker. The pattern and extent of the meniscus tear were compared with the fracture classification. Statistical analysis was made with the Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: Meniscus tear was noted in 29 cases out of 62 fractures (46.8%). The twenty cases of minimally displaced fractures treated conservatively showed no meniscal tear. Of 18 cases of the most common type I fracture 2 (11.2%) had a meniscus tear. Of 16 type II fractures 12 (75%) had a meniscus tear. The type III fracture showed the highest prevalence of meniscus tear (76.9%, 10/13). There was statistically significant relationtionship between the type of fractures and the rate of meniscus tear (p<0.0001). CONCLUSION: The meniscus tear frequently occurred in tibial plateau fractures in Schatzker type II and III. Associated meniscus tears should be born in mind when those types of fracture are encountered.

Knee Ligament Injuries Combined with Tibial Condyle Fracture: Clinical Study of 30 Patients / 대한정형외과학회잡지

Injuries to the ligament, bone and other supporting structures of the knee joint have a tendency to increase becsuse of the increasing traffics, popularity of sports and industrial accidents. It is well known that the knee joint is burdened on motion and weight bearing and structurally it is more frequently injuried than other joints. When there is injury to the knee, it is frequently combined with injury to ligaments and other supporting structures rather than pure tibial condyle fracture. There remains a residual instability of the knee joint because of neglecting of the injured ligaments if treatment is concerned only with tibial condyle fracture. To obtain complete recovery from the injury, early diagnosis, prompt treatment and well planned exercise are important. Thirty patients with ligaments injury and tibial condyle fracture who were treated at the Depsrtment of Orthopaedic Surgery of Wallace Memorial Baptist Hospital from 1983 to 1987 have been reviewed. Through combined operative and conservative treatment, excellant and good results were obtained in 93% of the cases.