Functional and radiological outcome after intra-articular tibial plateau fractures

• Published in: Injury Vol. 28; no. 7; pp. 459 - 462
• Main Authors: Houben, Paul F.J, van der Linden, Ed S, van den Wildenberg, Frans A.J.M, Stapert, Jouwert W.J.L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01-09-1997; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Age Factors; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Arthritis - etiology; Biological and medical sciences; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Knee Injuries - complications; Knee Injuries - rehabilitation; Knee Injuries - surgery; Knee Joint - diagnostic imaging; Knee Joint - physiopathology; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Orthopedic surgery; Radiography; Retrospective Studies; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Tibial Fractures - complications; Tibial Fractures - rehabilitation; Tibial Fractures - surgery; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome; Knee; Human; Prognosis; Radiodiagnosis; Diseases of the osteoarticular system; Lower limb; Exploration; Fracture; Articular function; Joint; Tibial plateau; Trauma; Long term; Knee disease; Radiography; Orthopedic surgery; Treatment; Tibia; Bone; Technique
• ISSN: 0020-1383; 1879-0267
• DOI: 10.1016/S0020-1383(97)00064-8

A follow-up study was performed to assess the functional and radiological outcome after operative treatment of tibial plateau fractures. Of 62 patients operated upon from 1985 to 1993, 46 patients were traced and re-examined. Follow-up averaged 60 months. Three functional scores were applied: the HSS knee score, the Lysholm score and the Tegner score. Radiographs obtained at follow-up were rated for deformity and signs of arthrosis, using a score described by Reswick and Niwayama. Patients reported most functional complaints during the first 3 years and after 6 years. Patients seen between 3 and 6 years after injury showed better functional scores. Arthritic changes were seen from 5 years after the fracture. Patients over 60 years of age seemed to suffer less functional loss than younger patients, indicating that operative treatment should not be withheld on grounds of age alone.