Outcome of lateral condyle tibia fractures treated by lateral head buttress plate (LHBP)

Abstract

Introduction: The lateral tibial condyle fracture is one of the common fractures encountered in Orthopaedic practice which usually occur in the road traffic accidents involving pedestrians crossing the road with direct hit on lateral condyle of tibia (Bumper fracture). Tibia plateau fractures constitute 1% of all fractures and 8% fractures in elderly. Isolated injuries to the lateral plateau account for 55 to 70% of tibial plateau fractures. Complex kinematics of its weight bearing positions and also stabilities of collateral ligaments and articular congruency are the main reasons which necessitates the union perfect reduction. Aim: To determine the outcome of managing proximal tibial lateral condyle fractures by open reduction and internal fixation using Lateral Head Buttress Plate. Materials and Methods: In prospective study design, total 30 cases of schatzker type I, II, III tibial plateau fractures treated at tertiary care teaching hospital in southern Rajasthan between July 2018 to June 2019 were included. The functional and radiological assessment was done in regular follow up till fracture union. Results: All the 30 cases achieved solid union between 13 to 16 weeks duration. The radiological and functional outcome was satisfactory in 96.66% and 85.83% respectively including excellent and good results of various parameters analysed. Conclusion: We conclude that preservation of the optimal function of knee after lateral tibial condyle fractures is satisfactorily achieved after fixing with lateral head buttress plate with a short learning curve and minimal complication risk.