Functional outcome of surgical management in schatzker type V, VI tibial plateau fractures with locking compression plate

Abstract

Tibial plateau fractures are one of the commonest intra articular fractures. Results from indirect coronal or direct axial compressive forces. Among Tibial plateau fractures, Schatzker type V and VI tibial fractures are complex injuries, usually treated with open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) using LCP plates.AIM: This study was done to determine functional outcome and the complications of Schatzker V and VI tibial plateau fractures treated with LCP plates with a regular follow-up of 18 months.Materials and Methods: Total 30 cases of tibial plateau fracture type V and VI treated with dual plating were studied from FEBRUARY 2017 to NOVEMBER 2018 in Sanjay Gandhi Institute of trauma and orthopaedics, Bangalore. The follow up duration ranged from 6 months to 15 months. The patients were operated through an anterolateral approach for lateral plate and a medial column plate was put through a minimally invasive medial approach or an open posteromedial approach.Results: Total 30 patients were evaluated postoperatively thoroughly for functional and radiological outcomes by Modified Rasmussen Assessment criteria which showed 17 patients (56.7%) had excellent, 8 patients (26.7%) had good,3 patients (10%) had fair and 2 patients (6.7%) had poor outcomeConclusion: We concluded open reduction and internal fixation of high-energy tibial plateau fractures with LCP excellent to good functional outcome with minimal soft tissue complications. Thus, a minimally invasive approach should be used which helps in preventing soft tissue problems and helps in early wound healing. Fixation done by Dual plating is important for early mobilization of knee joint. Early mobilization leads to better range of movements and thereby better functional outcome.