Arthroscopically assisted treatment of lateral tibial plateau fractures in skiers: use of a cannulated reduction system.

A prospective study was performed on 16 patients with lateral tibial plateau fractures. All injuries were associated with alpine or cross-country skiing. Included in the study were those patients with an articular surface depression of > or = 2 mm with radiographic findings consistent with the AO/ASIF classification of tibial plateau fractures (41 B2.2/B3.1). A combined procedure was performed with arthroscopic visualization of the knee joint and utilization of a cannulated plateau elevator. All fractures were reduced with this device with subsequent autogenous bone graft and, when indicated, transverse cancellous lag screw fixation. Follow-up was 1-6.5 years for the 16 patients, with all but two reporting resumption of activity to preinjury levels.