Study of functional outcome of tibial plateau fractures treated with anatomical contoured locking compression plate

Abstract

Tibial plateau fractures tend to occur in patients with polytrauma and in elderly patients with history of significant fall. This study was undertaken to evaluate and explore new generation implant fixation in tibial plateau fractures which is expected to provide a stable fixation with minimum exposure, early mobilization, less complications and a better quality of life.About 43 cases who had sustained tibial plateau fractures (Schatzker type I-VI) and operated with anatomical contoured locking compression plate were included. Follow-up of these patients was done at 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months after surgery. We analyzed all our subjects using IKDC score for functional outcome and plateau depression measurement for radiological outcome at 3 months and 6 months.All the 43 fractures analysed in this study were graded in accordance to the Schatzker classification. It was observed that most of these fractures, i.e., 16 out of 43 (37.2%) were type VI and 13 out of 43 (30.2%) type V. The average knee flexion at 3 months was 105.7±8.49 degrees and at 6 months 120.6±8.61 degrees. After evaluation, it was observed that at 6 months, 3 patients had extension lag (7%) out total 43 patients. Most of the patients had average IKDC score of 80.2±7.91% at 3 months which increased to average 86.92±8.05% at 6 months.Achieving and maintaining anatomical reduction becomes easy with advanced design of these plates, which helps in early mobilization and hence obtaining good functional and radiological outcomes of tibial plateau fractures.