Predictors of short-term functional outcome following proximal tibial fractures: AO classification type C.

OBJECTIVE

Proximal tibial fractures are often difficult to treat and secondary osteoarthritis due to residual malalignment or irregularity of the articular surface is a common problem, especially in patients with comminuted fractures. The purpose of this retrospective study was to assess the relationship between the functional outcome and certain anatomical parameters as predictors for the prognosis in patients with AO type C fractures.

METHODS

Clinical and functional data were collected on 24 AO type C fractures of the proximal tibia in 23 patients. The following factors were evaluated: the anatomical outcome, the tibial angle, the femoro-tibial angle, the medial and lateral tibial plateau angles, residual irregularity of the tibial plateau articular surface, and the functional outcome. The length of the follow-up period was 12 to 72 months.

RESULTS

A large tibial angle and a small medial tibial plateau angle were associated with a worse functional outcome. All of the knees with residual irregularity of the medial tibial plateau articular surface had a worse functional outcome, while lateral irregularity was associated with various outcomes.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggested that the medial compartment of the knee joint is more important than the lateral compartment for the short-term functional outcome.