Reliability of a four-column classification for tibial plateau fractures.

PURPOSE: A four-column classification system offers a different way of evaluating tibial plateau fractures. The aim of this study is to compare the intra-observer and inter-observer reliability between four-column and classic classifications. METHODS: This is a reliability study, which included patients presenting with tibial plateau fractures between January 2013 and September 2015 in a level-1 trauma centre. Four orthopaedic surgeons blindly classified each fracture according to four different classifications: AO, Schatzker, Duparc and four-column. Kappa, intra-observer and inter-observer concordance were calculated for the reliability analysis. RESULTS: Forty-nine patients were included. The mean age was 39 ± 14.2 years, with no gender predominance (men: 51%; women: 49%), and 67% of the fractures included at least one of the posterior columns. The intra-observer and inter-observer concordance were calculated for each classification: four-column (84%/79%), Schatzker (60%/71%), AO (50%/59%) and Duparc (48%/58%), with a statistically significant difference among them (p = 0.001/p = 0.003). Kappa coefficient for intr-aobserver and inter-observer evaluations: Schatzker 0.48/0.39, four-column 0.61/0.34, Duparc 0.37/0.23, and AO 0.34/0.11. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed four-column classification showed the highest intra and inter-observer agreement. When taking into account the agreement that occurs by chance, Schatzker classification showed the highest inter-observer kappa, but again the four-column had the highest intra-observer kappa value. The proposed classification is a more inclusive classification for the posteromedial and posterolateral fractures. We suggest, therefore, that it be used in addition to one of the classic classifications in order to better understand the fracture pattern, as it allows more attention to be paid to the posterior columns, it improves the surgical planning and allows the surgical approach to be chosen more accurately.

Subchondral raft construction with locking plates for the treatment of Schatzker type II fractures.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the functional and radiological results of Schatzker type II fractures treated via subchondral raft screws combined with locking plates. METHODS: Twenty-four individuals were enrolled in this study between 2010 and 2014. The depressed joint line was elevated and the defect was filled with allograft. Next, two or three subchondral screws were placed in combination with a locking plate. At the last follow-up, clinical and radiological data were recorded. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was 21.4 months (12-39). The mean Knee Society Score (KSS) and Rasmussen clinical scores were 91.5 (range, 77-100) and 16.75 (range, 14-18), respectively. The mean Rasmussen radiological score was 27.9 (range, 24-30) during the follow-up. There was no statistically significant difference between injured and non-injured sides with respect to the mechanical axis, the proximal medial tibial angle, and tibial slope. In addition, arthritis showed no difference on the non-injured side, although follow-up was short. CONCLUSIONS: The periarticular raft construction combined with the locking plate helps surgeon to maintain the anatomic line of the joint and the mechanical axis obtained during the surgery. Secondary arthritis seems to be major complication after fractures of the tibial plateau, although the functional results were satisfactory. Level of Evidence IV, Case Series.

OBJETIVOS: Avaliar os resultados funcionais e radiológicos das fraturas de Schatzker tipo II tratadas com parafusos de plataforma subcondral em combinação com placas de trava. MÉTODOS: Vinte e quatro indivíduos foram selecionados para este estudo entre 2010 e 2014. A linha articular deprimida foi elevada e o defeito foi preenchido com aloenxerto. A seguir, dois ou três parafusos subcondrais foram colocados em combinação com uma placa de trava. No último acompanhamento, foram registrados os dados clínicos e radiológicos. RESULTADOS: O período médio de acompanhamento foi 21,4 meses (12-39). A média do Knee Society Score (KSS) e dos escores clínicos de Rasmussen foram 91,5 (faixa, 77-100) e 16,75 (faixa, 14-18), respectivamente. A média do escore radiológico de Rasmussen foi 27,9 (faixa, 24-30) durante o acompanhamento. Não houve diferença estatisticamente significante entre o lado com lesão e sem lesão, com relação ao eixo mecânico, ao ângulo medial proximal da tíbia e à inclinação tibial. Além disso, a artrite não apresentou diferença no lado sem lesão, embora o acompanhamento tenha sido curto. CONCLUSÕES: A construção de plataforma periarticular combinada com placa de trava ajuda o cirurgião a manter a linha anatômica da articulação e o eixo mecânico obtido durante a cirurgia. A artrite secundária parece ser uma complicação importante depois de fraturas do platô tibial, embora os resultados funcionais sejam satisfatórios. Nível de Evidência IV, Série de Casos.

Subchondral raft construction with locking plates for the treatment of Schatzker type II fractures / Construção de plataforma subcondral com placas de trava para o tratamento de fraturas do tipo II de Schatzker

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the functional and radiological results of Schatzker type II fractures treated via subchondral raft screws combined with locking plates. METHODS: Twenty-four individuals were enrolled in this study between 2010 and 2014. The depressed joint line was elevated and the defect was filled with allograft. Next, two or three subchondral screws were placed in combination with a locking plate. At the last follow-up, clinical and radiological data were recorded. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was 21.4 months (12-39). The mean Knee Society Score (KSS) and Rasmussen clinical scores were 91.5 (range, 77-100) and 16.75 (range, 14-18), respectively. The mean Rasmussen radiological score was 27.9 (range, 24-30) during the follow-up. There was no statistically significant difference between injured and non-injured sides with respect to the mechanical axis, the proximal medial tibial angle, and tibial slope. In addition, arthritis showed no difference on the non-injured side, although follow-up was short. CONCLUSIONS: The periarticular raft construction combined with the locking plate helps surgeon to maintain the anatomic line of the joint and the mechanical axis obtained during the surgery. Secondary arthritis seems to be major complication after fractures of the tibial plateau, although the functional results were satisfactory. Level of Evidence IV, Case Series.

RESUMO OBJETIVOS: Avaliar os resultados funcionais e radiológicos das fraturas de Schatzker tipo II tratadas com parafusos de plataforma subcondral em combinação com placas de trava. MÉTODOS: Vinte e quatro indivíduos foram selecionados para este estudo entre 2010 e 2014. A linha articular deprimida foi elevada e o defeito foi preenchido com aloenxerto. A seguir, dois ou três parafusos subcondrais foram colocados em combinação com uma placa de trava. No último acompanhamento, foram registrados os dados clínicos e radiológicos. RESULTADOS: O período médio de acompanhamento foi 21,4 meses (12-39). A média do Knee Society Score (KSS) e dos escores clínicos de Rasmussen foram 91,5 (faixa, 77-100) e 16,75 (faixa, 14-18), respectivamente. A média do escore radiológico de Rasmussen foi 27,9 (faixa, 24-30) durante o acompanhamento. Não houve diferença estatisticamente significante entre o lado com lesão e sem lesão, com relação ao eixo mecânico, ao ângulo medial proximal da tíbia e à inclinação tibial. Além disso, a artrite não apresentou diferença no lado sem lesão, embora o acompanhamento tenha sido curto. CONCLUSÕES: A construção de plataforma periarticular combinada com placa de trava ajuda o cirurgião a manter a linha anatômica da articulação e o eixo mecânico obtido durante a cirurgia. A artrite secundária parece ser uma complicação importante depois de fraturas do platô tibial, embora os resultados funcionais sejam satisfatórios. Nível de Evidência IV, Série de Casos.

Reproducibility of schatzker classification through smartphone applications

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the intra-observer reproducibility of Schatzker classification for tibial plateau fractures through smartphone applications. Methods: Radiographs were evaluated in two incidences (anteroposterior and profile) and CT slices (axial, sagittal and coronal) of 37 patients with tibial plateau fracture. Two evaluators, knee surgery experts, classified the cases by viewing the images of the isolated radiographs and then X-rays associated with CT slices in four different stages via smartphones and then presential assessment. Data were statistically analyzed with the Kappa coefficient (k). Results: There was intra-observer agreement by comparing the two methods of evaluation: display or via smartphone, and the analysis made showed statistical significance. Conclusion: The use of smartphones did not affect the reliability of Schatzker classification. Level of Evidence III, Diagnostic Study - Investigating a Diagnostic Test.

REPRODUCIBILITY OF SCHATZKER CLASSIFICATION THROUGH SMARTPHONE APPLICATIONS.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the intra-observer reproducibility of Schatzker classification for tibial plateau fractures through smartphone applications. METHODS: Radiographs were evaluated in two incidences (anteroposterior and profile) and CT slices (axial, sagittal and coronal) of 37 patients with tibial plateau fracture. Two evaluators, knee surgery experts, classified the cases by viewing the images of the isolated radiographs and then X-rays associated with CT slices in four different stages via smartphones and then presential assessment. Data were statistically analyzed with the Kappa coefficient (k). RESULTS: There was intra-observer agreement by comparing the two methods of evaluation: display or via smartphone, and the analysis made showed statistical significance. CONCLUSION: The use of smartphones did not affect the reliability of Schatzker classification. Level of Evidence III, Diagnostic Study - Investigating a Diagnostic Test.

Importance of radiological studies by means of computed tomography for managing fractures of the tibial plateau / Importância do estudo radiológico por meio de tomografia computadorizada no manejo das fraturas do platô tibial

Objectives: To evaluate the concordance among knee surgery specialists regarding the classification and surgical technique indicated in cases of tibial plateau fracture, using conventional radiographs and computed tomography. Methods: Forty-four patients with fractures of the tibial plateau shown on radiographic and tomographic images were selected. These were evaluated by specialists at two different times, with an interval of seven days. On the first occasion, the specialists only had access to the radiographs, while on the second occasion they had access to both radiographs and computed tomography images. Their concordance was evaluated by means of the kappa coefficient. Results: The interobserver reliability of the Schatzker classification on the first occasion was 0.36 and on the second occasion, 0.35. This was considered to present low reproducibility. In evaluating the intra-observer reproducibility of this classification, the mean kappa index was 0.42, which was classified as moderate. From evaluating the choice of surgical access, the inter-observer reliability was 0.55 on the first occasion and 0.50 on the second, which was considered to present moderate reproducibility. Evaluation on the implant chosen showed that the interobserver reliability was 0.01 on the first occasion and −0.06 on the second, which was considered to be poor and discordant. In evaluating the classification of the three columns, the inter-observer reproducibility was 0.47 (p< 0.0001), which was classified as moderate concordance. Conclusion: Use of computed tomography did not present any improvement in the inter-observer concordance, using the Schatzker classification, and did not produce any change in the preoperative planning...

Objetivos: Avaliar a concordância entre especialistas em cirurgia de joelho com relação à classificação e à técnica cirúrgica indicada nas fraturas do platô tibial com o uso das radio-grafias convencionais e da tomografia computadorizada. Métodos: Foram selecionados 44 pacientes com fraturas de platô tibial com suas imagens radiográficas e tomográficas, as quais foram avaliadas por especialistas em dois momen-tos distintos, com intervalo de sete dias. No primeiro momento os especialistas tiveram acesso apenas às radiografias e no segundo às radiografias e às imagens de tomografia computadorizada. A concordância foi avaliada por meio do coeficiente kappa. Resultados: A confiabilidade interobservador para a classificação de Schatzker no primeiro momento foi 0,36 e no segundo 0,35, consideradas de baixa reprodutibilidade. Na avaliação da reprodutibilidade intraobservador dessa classificação, a média do índice κfoi de 0,42, classificada como moderada. A avaliação da escolha do acesso cirúrgico teve uma confiabilidade interobservador de 0,55 num primeiro momento e 0,50 no segundo, consideradas de reprodutibilidade moderada. Quando avaliado o implante escolhido, a confiabilidade interobservador foi de 0,01 no primeiro momento e −0,06 no segundo, consideradas ruim e discordante. Na avaliação da classificação das três colunas, a reprodutibilidade interobservador foi de 0,47 (p< 0,0001), classificada como concordância moderada. Conclusão: O uso da tomografia computadorizada não apresentou melhoria na concordância interobservador na classificação de Schatzker, bem como não promoveu mudança no planejamento pré-operatório...

Importance of radiological studies by means of computed tomography for managing fractures of the tibial plateau.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the concordance among knee surgery specialists regarding the classification and surgical technique indicated in cases of tibial plateau fracture, using conventional radiographs and computed tomography. METHODS: Forty-four patients with fractures of the tibial plateau shown on radiographic and tomographic images were selected. These were evaluated by specialists at two different times, with an interval of seven days. On the first occasion, the specialists only had access to the radiographs, while on the second occasion they had access to both radiographs and computed tomography images. Their concordance was evaluated by means of the kappa coefficient. RESULTS: The interobserver reliability of the Schatzker classification on the first occasion was 0.36 and on the second occasion, 0.35. This was considered to present low reproducibility. In evaluating the intra-observer reproducibility of this classification, the mean kappa index was 0.42, which was classified as moderate. From evaluating the choice of surgical access, the inter-observer reliability was 0.55 on the first occasion and 0.50 on the second, which was considered to present moderate reproducibility. Evaluation on the implant chosen showed that the interobserver reliability was 0.01 on the first occasion and -0.06 on the second, which was considered to be poor and discordant. In evaluating the classification of the three columns, the inter-observer reproducibility was 0.47 (p < 0.0001), which was classified as moderate concordance. CONCLUSION: Use of computed tomography did not present any improvement in the inter-observer concordance, using the Schatzker classification, and did not produce any change in the preoperative planning.

OBJETIVOS: Avaliar a concordância entre especialistas em cirurgia de joelho com relação à classificação e à técnica cirúrgica indicada nas fraturas do platô tibial com o uso das radiografias convencionais e da tomografia computadorizada. MÉTODOS: Foram selecionados 44 pacientes com fraturas de platô tibial com suas imagens radiográficas e tomográficas, as quais foram avaliadas por especialistas em dois momentos distintos, com intervalo de sete dias. No primeiro momento os especialistas tiveram acesso apenas às radiografias e no segundo às radiografias e às imagens de tomografia computadorizada. A concordância foi avaliada por meio do coeficiente kappa. RESULTADOS: A confiabilidade interobservador para a classificação de Schatzker no primeiro momento foi 0,36 e no segundo 0,35, consideradas de baixa reprodutibilidade. Na avaliação da reprodutibilidade intraobservador dessa classificação, a média do índice κ foi de 0,42, classificada como moderada. A avaliação da escolha do acesso cirúrgico teve uma confiabilidade interobservador de 0,55 num primeiro momento e 0,50 no segundo, consideradas de reprodutibilidade moderada. Quando avaliado o implante escolhido, a confiabilidade interobservador foi de 0,01 no primeiro momento e -0,06 no segundo, consideradas ruim e discordante. Na avaliação da classificação das três colunas, a reprodutibilidade interobservador foi de 0,47 (p < 0,0001), classificada como concordância moderada. CONCLUSÃO: O uso da tomografia computadorizada não apresentou melhoria na concordância interobservador na classificação de Schatzker, bem como não promoveu mudança no planejamento pré-operatório.

ANALYSIS OF THE REPRODUCIBILITY OF TIBIAL PLATEAU FRACTURES' CLASSIFICATION.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the inter-observer agreement of three tibial plateau fracture classifications: Schatzker, AO Group, and Hohl. METHODS: Nine physicians of different levels of expertise (six Orthopaedic Residents - OR - and three Orthopaedic Attendings - OA) classified 50 tibial plateau fractures. RESULTS: There was a low to moderate agreement between OR and OA on the three classification systems. A straight correlation was found between the year of Residence and an increase on the level of agreement on the AO group and Hohl classifications. This was partially seen on the Schatzker classification. Kappa ranged from 0.344 to 0.577, 0.36 to 0.499, and 0.278 to 0.465 for the Hohl, AO group, and Schatzker systems, respectively. CONCLUSION: With a level of 0.1, there was a significant agreement on the three classifications among the physicians. When comparing ORs to OAs, the three studied classifications show low to moderate consistency, with the Hohl classification showing the highest level of agreement between OR.