[Treatment of posterolateral tibial plateau fractures through an extended anterolateral approach]

To study the methods and therapeutic effects of posterolateral tibial plateau fractures with an extended anterolateral approach.

From January 2011 to December 2013, 15 patients with posterolateral tibial plateau fractures were treated by extended anterolateral approach, including 9 males and 6 females, with an average age of (38.4±7.7) years old ranging from 23 to 70 years old. Seven patients were on the left knees and 8 patients were on the right knees. The injury causes included traffic accidents in 6 cases, falling from height in 7 cases, and falling down when walking in 2 cases. The time from injury to operation was 2 to 14 days (means 5.6 days).

All patients were followed up with an average of 19.7 months ranging from 12 to 30 months. All patients were followed with anteroposterior and lateral X ray and CT films, which showed anatomic reduction or near anatomic reduction. The follow up CT scan showed an anatomic reduction in 14 patients and step and gap measurement of 3 mm in 1 case. The average radiographic bony union time was 9.6 weeks (ranged from 8 to 14 weeks). There were no wound complications, nonunion, plate loosening or breakage, valgus knee deformity, or fracture redisplacement. No patients sustained neural or vascular injuries, with knee extension of (2.1±2.1)° and knee flexion of (120.6±18.9)° at the final follow up. The total Rasmussen score averaged (25.0±2.8) points, the result was excellent in 10 cases, good in 4 cases, fair in 1 case.

The extended anterolateral approach has the advantage of allowing visualization of the posterolateral tibial plateau fragments, therefore facilitating its reduction. The approach also ensures safe and adequate posterior placement of a lateral buttress plate because the plate can be placed more posteriorly than can occur through an anterolateral approach.