Search

Background: To measure and calculate the morphological parameters and determine the anatomical characteristics of the posterior surface of the proximal tibia in a healthy Chinese population. Methods: A total of 150 volunteers with normal knees were enrolled. The parameters in the multi-slice spiral computed tomography (MSCT) three-dimensional (3-D) reconstruction images were measured and calculated by two independent qualified observers. The differences and correlation were investigated. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to assess inter-observer reliability. Results: The posterior margin of the tibial plateau is presented as two superior arc-shapes. The central angles of these arcs were 118°±14° (medial) and 106°±20° (lateral). The radii of these arcs both showed a skewed distribution. The median radii of the arcs were 22 mm in the medial and 20mm in the lateral. There were two significant angles present in the sagittal plane of the posterior cortex of the proximal tibia. The first angles were 39°±7° (medial) and 47°±7° (lateral). The second angles were 39°±4° (medial) and 41°±5° (lateral). Significant differences were observed in the central angles and the first angles but not in the second angles between the medial and lateral. There were no significant differences between different gender groups, and between left and right limbs. All of these parameters exhibited excellent to moderate ICC. Conclusion: Due to the varying anatomic morphology between the postero-medial and postero-lateral surface of the proximal tibia, the internal fixation implants of these two parts should be designed differently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The posterolateral shearing tibial plateau fracture is uncommon in the literature, however with the increased usage of computer tomography (CT), the incidence of these fractures is no longer as low as previously thought. Few studies have concentrated on this fracture, least of all using a biomechanical model. The purpose of this study was to compare and analyse the biomechanical characteristics of four different types of internal fixation to stabilise the posterolateral shearing tibial plateau fracture. Forty synthetic tibiae (Synbone, right) simulated the posterolateral shearing fracture models and these were randomly assigned into four groups; Group A was fixed with two anterolateral lag screws, Group B with an anteromedial Limited Contact Dynamic Compression Plate (LC-DCP), Group C with a lateral locking plate, and Group D with a posterolateral buttress plate. Vertical displacement of the posterolateral fragment was measured using three different strengths of axial loading force, and finally loaded until fixation failure. It was concluded that the posterolateral buttress plate is biomechanically the strongest fixation method for the posterolateral shearing tibial plateau fracture. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to compare the biomechanical strength of four different fixation methods for a posteromedial tibial plateau split fracture. Twenty-eight tibial plateau fractures were simulated using right-sided synthetic tibiae models. Each fracture model was randomly instrumented with one of the four following constructs, anteroposterior lag-screws, an anteromedial limited contact dynamic compression plate (LC-DCP), a lateral locking plate, or a posterior T-shaped buttress plate. Vertical subsidence of the posteromedial fragment was measured from 500N to 1500N during biomechanical testing, the maximum load to failure was also determined. It was found that the posterior T-shaped buttress plate allowed the least subsidence of the posteromedial fragment and produced the highest mean failure load than each of the other three constructs (P =0.00). There was no statistical significant difference between using lag screws or an anteromedial LC-DCP construct for the vertical subsidence at a 1500N load and the load to failure (P >0.05). This study showed that a posterior-based buttress technique is biomechanically the most stable in-vitro fixation method for posteromedial split tibial plateau fractures, with AP screws and anteromedial-based LC-DCP are not as stable for this type of fracture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The present investigation is a prospective study comparing the use of locked plates and classic double plates for the repair of bicondylar tibial plateau fractures. Eighty-four patients with bicondylar tibial plateau fractures were treated with plate fixation by either a locked plate (Less Invasive Stabilization System, LISS) or classic double plates (DP). All patients were followed for a minimum of 24 months. Outcomes were assessed by recording the surgical experience with each approach, post-operative complications and improvements in knee function as measured by the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) score. For all patients, no differences in the mechanisms of injury, fracture type, open fracture grade, mean age, gender distribution, associated medical conditions, pre-surgical stay, surgical time, bony union rate or radiographic healing times were observed between the two groups. Also, the HSS score and incidences of infection, seroma, hematoma, deep venous thrombosis, loss of reduction, loss of alignment, hardware failure and overall post-operative complications were all similar in both groups (P >0.05). Wound size and blood loss were significantly less in the LISS group than in the DP group (both P <0.05). A significantly higher incidence of post-operative malalignment of the proximal tibia (P =0.041) and a trend toward significance of a higher incidence of symptomatic hardware irritation (P =0.057) were observed in the LISS group compared to the DP group. In conclusion, LISS provides an alternative treatment for bicondylar tibial plateau fractures, but it may not replace the conventional two-incision double plating technique as the standard of care. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Fracture dislocations of the knee involving the proximal tibia are difficult to treat because of the operative approach that maybe required and the instability of the construct. This paper evaluates the use of a two-incision approach with a medial double-plating technique. The clinical results of a case series of 42 patients collected prospectively are presented. At final follow-up 37 out of 42 (88%) had satisfactory reduction of the articular surface and 41 (98%) had satisfactory alignment. At one year postoperation there was no loss in reduction or alignment. The mean HSS score was 90.9 (s.d. 3.35, range 83 to 97). There were no superficial or deep infections, however four cases (10%) had a sanguinous effusion for more than one week postoperatively. It was concluded that the medial double-plating operation is an effective way of managing fracture dislocations involving the proximal tibia. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Knee alignment is an essential problem in reconstructive surgeries of the knee. Quite a number of reference parameters have been suggested to help the surgeons to get proper alignment during operations. In this article, most commonly used reference axes, both for the axial and the rotational, are reviewed, in an attempt to highlight their reliabilities and clinical relevance. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In order to investigate the reliability of the transepicondylar line and the condylar line as indicators for lower limb alignment in knee arthroplasty, the femorotibial angle (FTA), and the angle between the transepicondylar line and the tangential line of tibial plateau (angle #x03B5;) and condylar-plateau angle (CPA) were measured in 107 (78 patients) full-length standing X-ray films of lower limbs. The mean FTA was measured to be 178.0±9.3°, the CPA 1.5±8.5° and angle #x03B5; -0.8±8.5°. The correlation between FTA and the CPA was analyzed to be significant with a correlation coefficient of 0.63, while another correlation between FTA and angle #x03B5; was calculated to be significant with a correlation coefficient of 0.81 at the same time. As a result, the correlation of the latter one was highly significant, having a R2 value of 0.648 (P<0.001), while the R2 of the former was only 0.397 (P<0.001). In conclusion, the transepicondylar line could be considered as a more reliable indicator for lower limb alignment, which may play an important role in ligament balancing and improvement of the guiding system in knee arthroplasty. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]