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Updated: May 19, 2026
Assessment of Bone Fracture Healing Using Micro-Computed Tomography
Published on: December 9, 2022
Morphological characteristics of Schatzker type IV tibial plateau fractures: a computer tomography based study
Guang Yang1, Yi Zhu, Congfeng Luo
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, No. 600, Yishan Road, Shanghai 200233, People's Republic of China.
Purpose:
The objective of this study was to evaluate the morphological characteristics of Schatzker type IV tibial plateau fractures.
Methods:
A retrospective analysis of radiographic and computed tomographic data of tibial plateau Schatzker type IV fractures from January 2010 to December 2011 was conducted in a level 1 trauma centre. The medial fracture angle (MFA), surface area percentage (SAP), and medial fracture height (MFH) were measured on CT images using the Picture Archiving and Communication System.
Results:
Based on the location of fracture and the MFA, 75 cases of Schatzker type IV fracture were divided into three subtypes: anteromedial fracture (seven cases, 9.3 %), total medial plateau fracture (36 cases, 48 %), and posteromedial fracture (32 cases, 42.7 %). The anteromedial fracture was located on the anterior part of the medial plateau, the average MFA was positive 47.5°, the SAP was 38.3 % and the MFH was 41.6 mm. The total medial plateau fracture usually involved the entire medial plateau, the mean value of MFA was 81.2°, the SAP was 53.9 % and the MFH was 64.0 mm. The posteromedial fracture was located on the posterior part of the medial plateau, the MFA was negative 42.5°, the SAP was 32.4 % and the MFH was 44.8 mm.
Conclusion:
The direction and location of Schatzker type IV fractures are highly variable. Proper operative approach and fixation method should be selected based on the morphological characteristics of individual medial plateau fractures.
