Purpose This study examined the factors affecting valgus deformities after arthroscopic reduction and internal fixation (ARIF) in lateral joint-depression tibial plateau fractures.
Materials and Methods Patients with lateral joint-depression tibial plateau fractures treated with ARIF were assessed retrospectively. The radiological evaluations included the articular depression distance (ADD) and the lateral plateau widening distance (LPWD) on preoperative and postoperative computed tomography. A postoperative valgus deformity was defined as valgus malalignment (mechanical axis ≥3°) and valgus deviation (Δmechanical axis of the operated knee from the healthy knee of ≥5°). Subgroup analyses based on a postoperative valgus deformity were performed to compare the clinical outcomes, including the range of motion, patient-reported outcomes measures, and failure and osteoarthritis progression. Furthermore, factors affecting the postoperative mechanical and Δmechanical axes were assessed.
Results Thirty-nine patients were included with a mean follow-up of 44.6 months (range, 24-106 months). Valgus malalignment and valgus deviation were observed after ARIF in 10 patients (25.6%) and five patients (12.8%), respectively. The clinical outcomes were similar in patients with and without a postoperative valgus deformity. On the other hand, lateral compartment osteoarthritis progression was significantly higher in the valgus deformity group than in the non-valgus deformity group (valgus malalignment group: 50.0% vs 6.9%, p=0.007; valgus deviation group: 60.0% vs 11.8%, p=0.032).
One patient with valgus deformity underwent realignment surgery at postoperative five years. The preoperative ADD and postoperative LPWD were significantly associated with the postoperative mechanical (both, p<0.001) and Δmechanical (ADD, p=0.001; LPWD, p=0.025) axes. Moreover, the lateral meniscectomized status during ARIF was significantly associated with the Δmechanical axis (p=0.019).
Conclusion Osteoarthritis progression was highly prevalent in patients with postoperative valgus deformity. Thus, the restoration of lateral plateau widening and articular depression and preservation of the meniscus are necessary to prevent a valgus deformity after ARIF in lateral joint-depression tibial plateau fractures.
PURPOSE To evaluate the effectiveness of Ilizarov fixation in tibial plateua fractures (Schatzker type IV, V, VI), the clinical and radiological results were analysed retrospectively. MATERIALS AND METHODS Of the tibial plateau fractures (Schatzker type IV, V, VI) which had been treated by using Ilizarov fixatrion method at Dankook university from June 1995 to June 2004, we clinically, radiologically analysed the 47 cases with follow-up study of a mean 38 months. Overall results which were evaluated according to Blokker's evaluation system. RESULTS The average start time of the range of motion excercise was 4.2 weeks, and the average start time of partial weight bearing was 4.6 weeks. Results which were evaluated according to Blokker's evaluation systems were "satisfactory" in 8 cases (80%) of the type IV fractures, in 9 cases of the type V fracures, and in 18 cases (69%) of the type VI. Overall results were "satisfactory" in 35 cases (74.4%), "unsatisfactory" in 12 cases (25.5%). CONCLUSION When use Ilizarov fixation in tibial plateau fracture (Schatzker type IV, V, VI), we have many advantages that the early start time of the range of motion, the early start time of weight bearing, the acceptable results of Blokker's evaluation system. Therefore, we conclude that Ilizarov fixation in tibial plateua fracure (Schatzker type IV, V, VI) is effective.
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Treatment of Shatzker Type VI Tibia Plateau Fracture Using Lateral and Posteromedial Dual Incision Approach and Dual Plating In-Jung Chae, Sang-Won Park, Soon-Hyuck Lee, Won Noh, Ho-Joong Kim, Seung-Beom Hahn Journal of the Korean Fracture Society.2009; 22(4): 252. CrossRef
Dual Plate Fixation Compared with Hybrid External Fixator Application for Complex Tibial Plateau Fractures Jae-Sung Lee, Yong-Beom Park, Han-Jun Lee Journal of the Korean Fracture Society.2008; 21(2): 124. CrossRef