Arthroscopic treatment of avulsed tibial spine fractures using a transosseous sutures technique

Severely displaced tibial spine fractures should be treated surgically to restore joint congruity and cruciate integrity with reduction and fixation through an arthrotomy or arthroscopic techniques. Arthroscopy is preferred as it allows for accurate diagnosis and treatment of associated injuries and reduction and fixation of all types of tibial spine fractures while reducing the morbidity associated with open techniques. We report the clinical and radiographical results of 11 cases treated with a technique of arthroscopic internal fixation with non-absorbable sutures, after an average follow-up of 16.3 months (range, 11 to 21 months). The clinical examination using the IKDC system revealed all patients to have a negative Lachman test and no quadriceps weakness except one patient with some laxity (hard end 1+ Lachman test). One patient had a minor extension deficit of approximately 5°. The other patients showed a full range of motion without extension loss. This technique is simple, reproducible and very useful in dealing with these fractures.