Clinical characteristic and therapeutic strategy of the super-proximal bicondylartibial plateau fracture / 中华骨科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To discuss the clinical character and the therapeutic strategy of the super-proximal bicondylartibial plateau fracture.Methods A review of 8 patients with an average age of 40.8 years old (range,28-56 years; 6 males,2 females) surgically treated from June 2007 to October 2012 was conducted.Conventional pre-operative three-dimensional CT scans were used to clarify the types of fractures and the locations of major displaced bone fragments.All patients received open reduction and internal fixation 7-14 days after injury for recovery of soft tissue.Anterolateral incision combined anteromedial incision was made on those with limited posterior column shift.Otherwise anterolateral incision combined posteromedial might be better for those with obvious displacement.Six of the patients were implanted autograft bone or allograft bone.The collateral ligaments could be repaired in one stage,but a routine repair of cruciate ligaments was not concerned,and an immobilization for six weeks with a plaster or a brace should be followed.Results All cases were followed-up for 12 to 26 months (median follow-up period,18.6 months).All the fractures in the series achieved bone union at or before the last follow-up,and the healing time ranged from 18 to 26 weeks (median healing period,21.5 weeks).The X-rays showed the smooth surface and good alignment of knee joint at the last follow-up.The median hospital for special surgery knee score (HSS) was 78.12 (range,56-90),with 3 excellent cases,3 good cases,1 fair cases and 1 poor case; the excellent and good rate was 75％ (6 of 8).The median Lysholm score was 81.37 (range,58-91),with 4 good cases,3 fair cases and 1 poor case; the excellent and good rate was 50％ (4 of 8).Conclusion Super-proximal bicondylartibial plateau fracture is a special fracture type accompanied with posterior dislocation of knee,which is predominantly presented as an anterior plateau fracture.And injuries of blood vessels and nerve are common.Conventional pre-operative three-dimensional CT scans,paying attention to the stability of the knee,restoring the alignment and joint surface and early analgesic exercises with brace might be commended in management of such plateau fracture.