Arthroscopic evaluation for tibial plateau fractures on the incidence and types of cruciate ligamentous injuries following closed reduction and internal fixation

To evaluate the overall incidence and types of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries and posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injuries associated with tibial plateau fractures (TPFs) following closed reduction and internal fixation (CRIF), and to identify the relationship between the incidence and types of cruciate ligamentous injuries with Schatzker classification and “three-column” classification. From January 2016 to January 2018, 185 patients with closed TPFs who underwent CRIF were included in this retrospective study. All patients were performed with arthroscopic examination after CRIF, and then, the incidence and types of cruciate ligamentous injuries were recorded and evaluated. The overall incidence rates of cruciate ligamentous injuries associated with TPFs were 37.3% with 21.6% of these being ACL injuries and 15.7% had PCL injuries. Importantly, patients with fractures in “two-column” fractures have a significantly higher incidence rate of ACL avulsion fracture and PCL complete tears (P 0.05). In the recognition of concomitant cruciate ligamentous injuries associated with TPFs based on Schatzker classification and three-column classification, orthopaedic trauma surgeons may better guide optimal surgical protocols for patients.