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Introduction The aim of this study was to compare the reduction quality of the anterolateral (AL) and modified posterolateral approach (PL) in lateral tibial plateau fractures involving the posterior column and central segments. Methods Matched pairs of pre-fractured cadaveric tibial plateau fractures were treated by either AL approach (supine position) or PL approach (prone position). Reduction was controlled by fluoroscopy and evaluated as satisfying or unacceptable. Afterwards, the reduction was examined by 3D scan. Results 10 specimens (3 pairs 41B3.1, 2 pairs 41C3.3) were evaluated. PL approach achieved significantly (p 0.00472) better fracture reduction results (0.4 ± 0.7 mm) of the posterior column compared to the AL group (2.1 ± 1.4 mm). Fracture steps involving the central area of the lateral plateau were insufficiently reduced after fluoroscopy using both approaches. Conclusion Optimal reduction of displaced tibial plateau fractures involving the posterolateral column necessitates a posterior approach, which can be conducted in prone or lateral positioning. The anterolateral approach is indicated in fractures with minor displacement of the posterolateral rim but fracture extension in the latero-central segments. In these cases, an additional video-assisted reduction or extended approaches are helpful.

Purpose Optimal anatomical reduction and stable fixation of acetabular fractures are important in avoiding secondary dislocation and osteoarthritis. Biomechanical studies of treatment options of acetabular fractures aim to evaluate the biomechanical properties of different fixation methods. As the setup of the biomechanical test can influence the experimental results, this review aimed to analyze the characteristics, comparability and clinical implications of studies on biomechanical test setups and finite element analyses in the fixation of acetabular fractures. Methods A systematic literature research was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines, using the PubMed/MEDLINE and Web of Science databases. 44 studies conducting biomechanical analyses of fixation of acetabular fractures were identified, which met the predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria and which were published in English between 2000 and April 16, 2021. The studies were analyzed with respect to distinct parameters, including fracture type, material of pelvis model, investigated fixation construct, loading direction, loading protocol, maximum loading force, outcome parameter and measurement method. Results In summary, there was no standardized test setup within the studies on fixation constructs for acetabular fractures. It is therefore difficult to compare the studies directly, as they employ a variety of different test parameters. Furthermore, the clinical implications of the biomechanical studies should be scrutinized, since several test parameters were not based on observations of the human physiology. Conclusion The limited comparability and restricted clinical implications should be kept in mind when interpreting the results of biomechanical studies and when designing test setups to evaluate fixation methods for acetabular fractures.

Purpose Direct visualization is a very effective method in accomplishing adequate articular surface reconstruction in fracture repair. This study investigates distal tibial plafond articular surface visibility using the anteromedial, anterolateral, posteromedial, and posterolateral approaches, the effect of instrumented distraction on visibility, and which zones of the articular surface are visible for each approach. Methods The anteromedial, anterolateral, posteromedial, and posterolateral approaches to the distal tibial plafond were performed on 16 cadaveric ankle specimens. The articular surface visualization for each approach was marked using an electrocautery device with manual and instrumented distraction. Articular surface visualization was photographically documented. Digital axial segmentation and quantitative analysis of the visualized distal tibial plafond articular surface were performed. Results With manual distraction, distal tibial plafond articular surface visualization, expressed in percent of overall articular surface, was limited to 9% (SD ± 9) for the anteromedial, 24% (SD ± 18) for the anterolateral, 26% (SD ± 10) for the posteromedial, and 30% (SD ± 18) for the posterolateral approaches. Using instrumented distraction significantly improved articular surface visualization in all instances (p Conclusion This study demonstrates the efficacy of instrumented distraction when attempting surgical visualization of the distal tibial plafond articular surface. Knowledge of approach specific articular surface visibility may assist the surgeon in choosing the appropriate approach(es) based on case-specific distal tibial plafond fracture patterns. Level of evidence IV, cadaver study.

To gain principal insight into fixation techniques of a posteromedial split fragment in bicondylar tibial plateau fractures. A computer simulation was performed, applying the finite-element method (FEM) to compare four methods of fixation of the posteromedial split fragment: lateral plate (model 1), lateral plate and kickstand screw (model 2), lateral plate and two antero-posterior lag screws (model 3), and lateral and posteromedial plate (model 4). The displacement of the fragment and material stresses in implants and bone under 2500 N axial load were analyzed. Maximal displacement of the posteromedial split fragment of 2.8 mm was found with a sole lateral plate. An added kickstand screw decreased the displacement to 1.46 mm. Added lag screws improved stability by a factor 4, with a maximal displacement of 0.76 mm. The double-plate configuration revealed 0.27 mm, a decrease of the displacement by a factor 10 compared to model 1. An additional analysis of posteromedial fragment displacements with osteoporotic bone, simulated by dividing the elastic modulus of the bone by a factor 2, turned out to be of relevant impact. For model 1, the calculations did not converge. The influence of bone quality was found to be 70% in model 2, 60% in model 3, and 40% in model 4. The results indicate that the additional fixation of a posteromedial split fracture by plate osteosynthesis might be advantageous in bicondylar tibial plateau fractures treated with lateral plating. This might be even more important in patients with low bone quality.

Purpose Given that tibial plateau fractures (TPF) are rare, they may pose a challenge to the treating surgeon due to their variety of complex fracture patterns. Numerous studies have identified potential fracture-specific, surgery-related, and patient-related risk factors for impaired patient outcomes. However, reports on the influence of bone metabolism on functional outcomes are missing. Methods In a retrospective multicenter cohort study, 122 TPF of 121 patients were analyzed with respect to radiological and clinical outcomes (Rasmussen) with a mean follow-up of 35.7 ± 24.9 months. The risk factor assessment included bone metabolism-affecting comorbidities and medication. Results The findings showed that 95.9% of the patients reported a good-to-excellent clinical outcome, and 97.4% reported a good-to-excellent radiological outcome. Logistic regression revealed that potentially impaired bone metabolism (IBM) was an independent risk factor for the clinical (p = 0.016) but not the radiological outcome (Table 4). Patients with 41-type B fractures and a potential IBM had a seven times higher risk to present a fair-to-poor clinical outcome [OR 7.45, 95 CI (4.30, 12.92)]. The most common objective impairment was a limited range of motion in 16.4% of the patients, especially in 41-type C fractures (p = 0.06). The individual failure analysis additionally identified surgery-related options for improvement. Conclusion This study demonstrated that potential IBM was an independent risk factor for a poor-to-fair clinical outcome.

Purpose Surgical treatment of tibial plateau fracture (TPF) is common. Surgical site infections (SSI) are among the most serious complications of TPF. This multicentre study aimed to evaluate the effect of fracturoscopy on the incidence of surgical site infections in patients with TPF. Methods We performed a retrospective multicentre study. All patients with an AO/OTA 41 B and C TPF from January 2005 to December 2014 were included. Patients were divided into three groups: those who underwent arthroscopic reduction and internal fixation (ARIF), and those who underwent open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) with fracturoscopy, and those treated with ORIF without fracturoscopy. The groups were compared to assess the effect of fracturoscopy. We characterised our cohort and the subgroups using descriptive statistics. Furthermore, we fitted a logistic regression model which was reduced and simplified by a selection procedure (both directions) using the Akaike information criterion (AIC). From the final model, odds ratios and inclusive 95% confidence intervals were calculated. Results Overall, 52 patients who underwent fracturoscopy, 48 patients who underwent ARIF, and 2000 patients treated with ORIF were identified. The rate of SSI was 0% (0/48) in the ARIF group and 1.9% (1/52) in the fracturoscopy group compared to 4.7% (93/2000) in the ORIF group (OR = 0.40, p = 0.37). Regression analyses indicated a potential positive effect of fracturoscopy (OR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.07–5.68; p = 0.69). Conclusion Our study shows that fracturoscopy is associated with reduced rates of SSI. Further studies with larger cohorts are needed to investigate this. Level of evidence Level III.

Purpose Malunions are a common complication after tibial plateau fractures (TPF), leading to stiffness, pseudo-instability and posttraumatic osteoarthritis. The purpose of this study was to analyse the clinical outcome after intraarticular osteotomy of malunited TPF and to perform a failure analysis. Methods Between 2013 and 2018, 23 patients (11 males, 12 females; 43.8 ± 12.8 years) with intraarticular osteotomy after malunited TPF were included in the retrospective study. Clinical examination and postoperative scores were collected with a minimum follow-up of 24 months. Malunion was measured on pre- and postoperative CT scans and localized according to the 10-segment classification while the leg axis in the frontal plane was measured pre- and postoperatively on long leg standing radiographs. Results Excellent and good clinical outcome was achieved in 73.9% (n = 17) of the cases and patient related outcome improved significantly (Tegner 3.3 ± 1.6–5 ± 1.8, p p p p = 0.003). Failure analysis showed that an impaired clinical result correlated with a postoperative extension (n = 3, p n = 4, p = 0.035). Conclusion Intraarticular osteotomy of malunited TPF lead to good clinical results with significant clinical and radiological improvement in most cases while an impaired patient outcome correlated with a limited range of motion. This study is the first failure analysis of intraarticular osteotomy after malunited TPF published up to now.

Malreduction after tibial plateau fractures mainly occurs due to insufficient visualization of the articular surface. In 85% of all C-type fractures an involvement of the posterolateral-central segment is observed, which is the main region of malreduction. The choice of the approach is determined (1) by the articular area which needs to be visualized and (2) the positioning of the fixation material. For simple lateral plateau fractures without involvement of the posterolateral-central segment an anterolateral standard approach in supine position with a lateral plating is the treatment of choice in most cases. For complex fractures the surgeon has to consider, that the articular surface of the lateral plateau only can be completely visualized by extended approaches in supine, lateral and prone position. Anterolateral and lateral plating can also be performed in supine, lateral and prone position. A direct fixation of the posterolateral-central segment by a plate or a screw from posterior can be only achieved in prone or lateral position, not supine. The posterolateral approach includes the use of two windows for direct visualization of the fracture. If visualization is insufficient the approach can be extended by lateral epicondylar osteotomy which allows exposure of at least 83% of the lateral articular surface. Additional central subluxation of the lateral meniscus allows to expose almost 100% of the articular surface. The concept of stepwise extension of the approach is helpful and should be individually performed as needed to achieve anatomic reduction and stable fixation of tibial plateau fractures.

Tibial plateau fractures are common fractures in adults and can be extremely challenging for surgeons. State-of-the-art therapy is open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF), although major complications of ORIF are surgical site infections (SSIs). This is especially critical on the proximal tibia, which is only sparsely covered by soft tissue and has a close relation to the knee joint. We analyzed SSIs after ORIF to correlate established laboratory parameters to the occurrence of SSIs. A monocentric case–control study in a Level 1 Trauma Center was conducted. Data were acquired from electronic medical records from 2011 until 2016. White blood cell count (WBC) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were used as laboratory parameters and statistically analyzed. In total, 97 patients were included, with four patients suffering from SSIs. Patients with SSIs had a significantly increased WBC count and CRP levels on the third postoperative day. Infection was diagnosed after rehospitalization, 12 ± 4 weeks after initial surgery. Furthermore, a large bony destruction through trauma coincides with a rise of WBC count with no influence on CRP level. We highly recommend a laboratory analysis with WBC count and CRP on the third day after ORIF. Patients with a CRP level above 100 mg/l should be closely watched, even if laboratory parameters few days later are adequate—since a one-time increase above this landmark might be a hint regarding the development of a SSI.

Surgical treatment of tibial plateau fracture (TPF) is common. Surgical site infections (SSI) are among the most serious complications of TPF. This multicentre study aimed to evaluate the effect of fracturoscopy on the incidence of surgical site infections in patients with TPF.We performed a retrospective multicentre study. All patients with an AO/OTA 41 B and C TPF from January 2005 to December 2014 were included. Patients were divided into three groups: those who underwent arthroscopic reduction and internal fixation (ARIF), and those who underwent open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) with fracturoscopy, and those treated with ORIF without fracturoscopy. The groups were compared to assess the effect of fracturoscopy. We characterised our cohort and the subgroups using descriptive statistics. Furthermore, we fitted a logistic regression model which was reduced and simplified by a selection procedure (both directions) using the Akaike information criterion (AIC). From the final model, odds ratios and inclusive 95% confidence intervals were calculated.Overall, 52 patients who underwent fracturoscopy, 48 patients who underwent ARIF, and 2000 patients treated with ORIF were identified. The rate of SSI was 0% (0/48) in the ARIF group and 1.9% (1/52) in the fracturoscopy group compared to 4.7% (93/2000) in the ORIF group (OR = 0.40, p = 0.37). Regression analyses indicated a potential positive effect of fracturoscopy (OR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.07-5.68; p = 0.69).Our study shows that fracturoscopy is associated with reduced rates of SSI. Further studies with larger cohorts are needed to investigate this.Level III.