Arthroscopy-assisted reduction of posteromedial tibial plateau fractures with buttress plate and cannulated screw construct.

PURPOSE: To present the radiologic and clinical results of posteromedial fractures treated with arthroscopy-assisted reduction and buttress plate and cannulated screw fixation. METHODS: Twenty-five patients with posteromedial tibial plateau fractures treated by the described technique were included in this study. According to the Schatzker classification, there were 5 type IV fractures (20%), 2 type V fractures (8%), and 18 type VI fractures (72%). The mean age at operation was 46 years (range, 21 to 79 years). The mean follow-up period was 86 months (range, 60 to 108 months). Clinical and radiologic outcomes were scored by the Rasmussen system. Subjective data were collected to assess swelling, difficulty climbing stairs, joint stability, ability to work and participate in sports, and overall patient satisfaction with recovery. Secondary osteoarthritis was diagnosed when radiographs showed a narrowed joint space in the injured knee at follow-up in comparison with the films taken at the time of injury. RESULTS: The mean postoperative Rasmussen clinical score was 25.9 (range, 18 to 29), and the mean radiologic score was 15.8 (range, 10 to 18). All 25 fractures achieved successful union, and 92% had good or excellent clinical and radiologic results. The 3 fracture types did not significantly differ in Rasmussen scores or rates of satisfactory results (P > .05). Secondary osteoarthritis was noted in 6 injured knees (24%). CONCLUSIONS: Arthroscopy-assisted reduction with buttress plate and cannulated screw fixation can restore posteromedial tibial plateau fractures of the knee with well-documented radiographic healing, good clinical outcomes, and low complication rates. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, therapeutic case series.

Arthroscopic suture fixation for avulsion fractures in the tibial attachment of the posterior cruciate ligament.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to highlight our surgical technique of arthroscopic suture fixation for acute tibial eminence posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) avulsion fractures, clinical and radiographic outcomes, and complication rates. METHODS: This prospective study enrolled patients who had undergone arthroscopic reduction and suture fixation by use of 4 No. 5 Ethibond sutures (Ethicon, Somerville, NJ) for image-proven displaced PCL attachment fractures of the tibial eminence with posterior knee instability of grade II or higher. The mean follow-up period was 36 months (range, 24 to 45 months). Follow-up assessment included 3 different functional scores, KT-1000 arthrometry (MEDmetric, San Diego, CA), and radiographic evaluation. RESULTS: The mean preoperative Lysholm score in the 36 patients was 35 (range, 26 to 55); the mean postoperative Lysholm score was 95 (range, 80 to 100). The mean preinjury and preoperative Tegner scores in the 36 patients were 7.4 ± 1.6 (range, 5 to 9) and 3.2 ± 1.5 (range, 2 to 5), respectively. The mean postoperative Tegner score was 7.0 ± 1.8 (range, 5 to 9). At the final follow-up, the International Knee Documentation Committee scores were observed to be normal (grade A) or nearly normal (grade B) in 33 patients (91.7%) and abnormal (grade C) in 3 patients (8.3%). All 36 fractures achieved union within 3 months. No significant complications such as arthrofibrosis, loss of initial fixation, or wound infection were noted. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of tibial PCL avulsion fractures by arthroscopic suture fixation is a successful technique to restore tibial avulsion injuries of the PCL with well-documented radiographic healing, good clinical outcomes, and low complication rates. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, therapeutic case series.