Intraoperative Tibia Fractures During Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Intraoperative tibia fractures during primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) are an infrequent yet significant complication.
• Existing orthopedic literature offers limited guidance on optimal management strategies and outcomes for these fractures.

Observation:

• Two cases of intraoperative tibia fractures during primary TKA (one posterior stabilized, one cruciate retaining) were analyzed.
• Commonly reported fixation methods include plate and screws, lag screws, suture anchors, and tension wiring.

Findings:

• No definitive consensus exists regarding the optimal postoperative protocol for intraoperative tibia fractures during TKA.
• Both analyzed cases demonstrated satisfactory clinical outcomes, irrespective of the specific fixation technique employed or the need for additional fixation.

Implications:

• Intraoperative tibia fractures during primary TKA, while unforeseeable, necessitate surgeon awareness of diverse management approaches.
• Further research may elucidate the most effective strategies for mitigating complications and optimizing patient outcomes in these scenarios.