Satisfactory outcome following arthroscopic fixation of tibial intercondylar eminence fractures in children and adolescents using bioabsorbable nails.

INTRODUCTION

Tibial intercondylar eminence fracture is a rare fracture and is commonly treated with suture, screw or bio-absorbable nail. Current literature includes little information regarding outcome of surgically treatment with bio-absorbable nails. The purpose of this study was to report the clinical and functional outcomes in patients with tibial intercondylar eminence fractures arthroscopically treated with bio-absorbable nails.

METHODS

The study design was retrospective follow-up. Sixteen patients, age 11-16 years, were surgically treated with bio-absorbable nail following an intercondylar eminence fracture. Thirteen patients participate in the present follow-up study. The median follow-up time was 6.5 years. The main outcome measurement was the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS). Secondary outcome measurements consisted of: Eq5d-5L questionnaire, knee pain, knee laxity, range of motion (ROM), muscle strength, gait analyses, radiological outcomes, activity and level.

RESULTS

The median KOOS scores for the five subscales were: pain 98.5 (19-100), symptoms 90.5 (54-100), ADL 100 (22-100), sport 87.5, (0-100) and QOL 88.0 (13-100), indication satisfactory outcome. Low level of gait asymmetry was observed. Almost balanced muscle strength between the injured and non-injured leg for knee extension and knee flexion strength was observed. Measurement of anterior knee laxity showed 12 patients with a knee laxity between - 1 and 2 mm. The examination of intercondylar eminence displacement at the time of follow-up showed that 12 patients had a displacement of 2 mm or less.

CONCLUSION

This case series demonstrates satisfactory patient-reported and functional outcomes in the treatment of intercondylar eminence fractures in children and adolescents with bio-absorbable nails.