[The results of arthroscopically assisted circular external fixation in bicondylar tibial plateau fractures].

OBJECTIVES

We evaluated the results of arthroscopically assisted circular external fixation in bicondylar tibial plateau fractures.

METHODS

The study included 13 patients (12 males, 1 female; mean age 27 years; range 18 to 37 years) who were treated with circular external fixation under arthroscopic control for bicondylar tibial plateau fractures. The causes of fractures were traffic accidents in nine cases, sport injuries in two cases, and fall from height in two cases. Eight patients had open fractures. The mean time from injury to presentation was two days. Soft tissue injuries were treated with curettage and excision. The fractures were classified according to the Schatzker's system. Functional results were assessed using the knee scoring system of Lysholm and Gillquist. The mean follow-up period was 35 months (range 16 to 38 months).

RESULTS

There was no neurovascular pathology in any of the cases preoperatively and postoperatively. Lysholm and Gillquist knee scores were very good in two patients, good in six patients, moderate in four patients, and poor in one patient. The mean knee score was 82.46. The patient with the poor result had significant limitation in knee extension and flexion. Postoperative complications included superficial soft tissue infection in two patients and pin tract infection in six patients.

CONCLUSION

Arthroscopically assisted circular external fixation of bicondylar tibial plateau fractures is efficient to obtain satisfactory functional results.