Single lateral locked screw plating of bicondylar tibial plateau fractures

We prospectively followed a case series of 68 patients with 69 AO/ASIF 41-C-type fractures treated with the Less Invasive Stabilization System for the proximal lateral tibia. We assessed malreduction, secondary loss of reduction, and infection rates in patients with a locked screw plate for unilateral fixation of bicondylar fractures. Sixty-two (91%) patients returned for final followup (range, 11-13 months). Malreduction and malalignment were defined as an intraarticular step-off of 2 mm or greater, or as a malalignment in the frontal or sagittal plane greater than 5 degrees . Fourteen fractures were open. Primary bone grafting was done in 13 patients. Significant malreduction was seen in 16 patients. There were four superficial infections and one deep infection. One fracture did not heal, and nine patients had substantial loss of reduction. Unilateral locked screw plating is a good alternative for treatment of problematic fractures of the tibial plateau that are associated with soft tissue damage and metaphyseal comminution. The reduction technique for exact alignment is demanding.