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High Yield Topics

Fracture, Proximal Tibia

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Ovid: 5-Minute Sports Medicine Consult, The


Fracture, Proximal Tibia
Steven G. Reece
Basics
  • Tibial plateau fractures occur as a result of:
    • Force directed either medially (valgus deformity) or laterally (varus deformity)
    • Axial compressive force
    • Combination of both
  • An axial compressive force, as with a fall from a height, landing on an extended knee, usually results in a bicondylar type of fracture.
  • Associated ligamentous injuries have been postulated to occur owing to continued deforming force after the fracture has been sustained.
    • 68% of tibial plateau fractures have posterolateral ligamentous corner injury (1).
    • These ligamentous injuries may not always occur after the fracture but may be coincident with the tibial plateau fracture.
Description
  • Fracture that includes the articular surface of the medial and/or lateral tibial condyles
  • Synonym(s): Tibial plateau fracture
  • First coined a “fender fracture” by Cotton in 1929
  • 40–60% of tibial plateau fractures involve an automobile hitting a pedestrian. Fracture results from a medially directed (valgus-deforming) force.
Epidemiology
  • Tibial plateau fractures account for ∼1% of all fractures and 8% of fractures in the elderly.
  • Lateral tibial plateau fractures account for 55–70%.
  • Bilateral plateau fractures account for 11–31%.
  • Medial plateau fractures account for 10–23%.
Risk Factors
  • Osteoporosis
  • Perioperative fracture associated with total or unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (2)
  • Sports: Skiing, football
Commonly Associated Conditions
  • Tibial plateau fractures often accompany a predictable pattern of associated soft tissue knee injury.
    • Medial tibial plateau fracture: Lateral collateral ligament and medial meniscus injuries
    • Lateral tibial plateau fracture: Medial collateral ligament and lateral meniscus injuries
    • Anterior cruciate ligament injuries can be seen with either medial or lateral plateau fractures.
  • Owing to brisk hemorrhage and swelling, tibial plateau fractures can be associated with acute compartment syndrome.
Diagnosis
  • X-ray: Anteroposterior (AP), lateral, oblique
  • MRI: Better assessment of associated ligamentous injury and osteochondral injury
  • CT scan: Best to assess bone deformity
  • Schatzker classification system for tibial plateau fractures (3):
    • Type I: Lateral split
    • Type II: Split with depression
    • Type III: Pure lateral depression
    • Type IV: Pure medial depression
    • Type V: Bicondylar
    • Type VI: Split extends to metadiaphysis.
  • Ancillary studies: Knee aspirate may help to reveal the presence of fat globules (indicating osteochondral injury) and to reduce pain.
History
  • An accurate history will help to determine the direction of the force, velocity (high vs low), and initial deformity produced.
  • Swelling can be an immediate effusion or delayed ± lower leg swelling.
Physical Exam
  • Signs and symptoms:
    • Painful swollen knee
    • Unable to bear weight
    • Also may have compartment syndrome signs and symptoms
    • Key to diagnosing compartment syndrome is pain out of proportion to physical examination findings.
  • Physical examination:
    • Most accurate way to evaluate the extent of the soft tissue injuries
    • Allows for evaluation of the vascular and neurologic status of the extremity
    • Gives insight into any associated ligamentous injuries and subsequent stability of the extremity
    • Pain and swelling about the knee may be associated with varus or valgus knee deformity.
    • Visible knee deformity indicates a severe injury.
    • Tenderness to palpation is noted over the medial and/or lateral tibial plateau.
    • Associated ligamentous injuries may show tenderness to palpation and instability of the collateral or cruciate ligaments.
    • Key finding is excursion of endpoint movement.
    • Large hemarthrosis usually is present.
    • If not present, it may indicate a torn capsule if the plateau is depressed.
    • Document distal pulses.
    • Check neurologic status with focus on the peroneal nerve and tendon function.
    • Check for abrasions or possible open fracture.
    • Watch for compartment syndrome findings:
      • Pain out of proportion to the physical examination findings
      • Pressure or tightness in the compartment
      • Pallor
      • Paresthesias
      • Paralysis: Sign of cell death and need for immediate compartment release
Diagnostic Tests & Interpretation
Imaging
  • Standard radiographs in anteroposterior (AP), lateral, and 2 oblique views;
    • Initial x-rays may miss a small tibial plateau fracture.
    • High index of suspicion must be maintained based on mechanism of injury, presence/absence of an effusion, and joint instability.
    • Series provides information allowing for accurate assessment of the fracture pattern.
      • Internal oblique view improves assessment of the lateral plateau.
      • External oblique view improves assessment of the medial plateau.
      • Tunnel view helpful if suspicious for intercondylar eminence fractures
      • Lateral view gives information on depression.
        • Medial side is concave.
        • Lateral side is convex.
    • Posterior collateral ligament injury may show avulsion fracture.
  • Tomography in the AP and lateral planes:
    • Reveals extent and position of the fracture lines.
    • Allows visualization of areas of depression.
  • CT scan:
    • Image of choice if negative films but high index of suspicion for fracture
    • Provides cross-sectional and sagittal assessment of the fracture pattern
    • If necessary, three-dimensional reconstructions can be provided to enhance the understanding of the fracture.
  • MRI: Allows for assessment of associated ligamentous injuries; may not show fracture well
  • Arteriography:
    • Should be considered in any tibial plateau fracture where the stability of the joint is in question.
    • Also may use ABI If <0.8, then indicates arterial insult.
    • Medial plateau fractures have a high incidence of vascular insult (owing to greater energy injuring force).
    • Arteriography/ABI should be seriously considered.
    • Presence of a palpable pulse does not exclude the possibility of intimal tear.
    • May lead to intraoperative occlusive thrombosis that could jeopardize the extremity
Differential Diagnosis
  • Intercondylar eminence fracture ± anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear: Segond sign on plain film indicates lateral capsule avulsion.
  • Collateral ligament avulsion
  • Tibial tubercle avulsion
  • Proximal fibular fracture
  • Patella fracture
  • Hemarthrosis from patellar dislocation, ACL tear, or meniscal tear (if in the red or red-white zone)

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Treatment
No more than 5 mm of depression/displacement is acceptable on for conservative treatment.
ED Treatment
Acute treatment:
  • Non–weight bearing
  • Long leg splint with knee in full extension, ankle splinted at 90 degrees
  • Ice, elevation
  • Pain management with narcotics
  • If plain films show <5 mm of displacement, then nonoperative management is acceptable.
Medication
  • Recent studies suggest possible negative effects of NSAIDs on bone healing in fracture care (4).
  • Reasonable to consider narcotics as 1st-line agents in favor of NSAIDs
  • Use TROM brace locked in extension, and make the patient non–weight bearing to improve pain control.
Additional Treatment
General Measures
  • Patient's age, medical condition, history of osteoporosis, and expected level of activity should be taken into consideration on a case-by-case basis in terms of operative vs nonoperative management.
  • There are no specific recommendations regarding patient age or comorbid arthritis to dictate operative vs nonoperative management.
  • Nonoperative treatment is possible with hinged TROM-style bracing and strict non–weight bearing for 2–6 wks if:
    • Under adequate sedation there is no varus/valgus instability through a full arc of motion.
    • The fracture shows no elements of depression or <5 mm of displacement.
Referral
  • Emergent referral and treatment if there is associated acute compartment syndrome and/or vascular injury
  • Referral recommended within 48 hr if fracture is depressed or displaced (5 mm) or associated with significant ligament/meniscal injuries
Additional Therapies
  • Physical therapy: See “Postoperative Management” below.
  • Key to good outcome is early range of motion and non–weight bearing compliance.
  • Important to encourage quadriceps strengthening after bracing discontinued
Surgery/Other Procedures
  • The goals of treating an intraarticular fracture of the tibia are to preserve pain-free joint mobility, stability, axial alignment, and articular cartilage congruity and avoid posttraumatic osteoarthritis.
  • Best accomplished by anatomic reduction of the joint surface and restoration of axial alignment.
  • Intraarticular fractures, regardless of open or closed treatment, must be mobilized quickly to achieve the best range of motion (ROM).
  • Only percutaneous or open reduction and stable fixation allow early motion without loss of articular cartilage.
  • Fractures treated initially by closed reduction often will show persistent displacement of articular cartilage fragments.
  • If open reduction cannot be achieved owing to mitigating circumstances, then treatment should consist of skeletal traction and early mobilization.
  • Bicondylar tibial plateau fractures are best managed with locked plating in favor of external fixation (5).
  • Absolute surgical indications:
    • Open fractures
    • Acute compartment syndrome
    • Acute vascular injury
  • Timing of surgery: Immediate if open fractures, associated compartment syndrome, and fractures with associated vascular injuries
  • Careful evaluation of fractures with tomography/CT scan/MRI is recommended.
    • Delay of 24–48 hr will not compromise the outcome.
    • Evaluation of soft tissue injury is important.
  • Patients delayed >48 hr can be placed in skeletal traction.
  • Postoperative management:
    • Depends on the degree of stability achieved with fixation and the findings at surgery
    • If stable, early motion by continuous passive motion (CPM) is beneficial.
    • Motion from full extension to 40–60 degrees of flexion on postoperative night 1.
    • CPM is increased to 90 degrees as quickly as possible.
    • If CPM is not available, immobilization of the knee in 60–90 degrees of flexion is recommended for the first 48–72 hr, followed by active motion.
    • Immobilization in flexion greatly affects postoperative motion.
    • Non–weight-bearing ambulation is encouraged postoperatively.
    • Stable type I–V fractures may start partial weight bearing at 8 wks.
    • More comminuted fractures should be held non–weight bearing for 10–12 wks.
    • Early motion and non–weight bearing are critical keys to long-term success.
Ongoing Care
Prognosis
  • High rate of arthritis associated with tibial plateau fractures (6)
  • Prognosis for full return of motion in the presence of OA is poor.
Complications
  • Posttraumatic arthritis
  • Infection
  • Wound slough
  • Loss of ROM
  • Compartment syndrome (preoperative and postoperative)
  • Fixation failure
  • Loss of articular reduction
  • Malunion
  • Nonunion (rare)
  • Deep vein thrombosis
  • Pseudoarthrosis
References
1. Gardner MJ, Yacoubian S, Geller D, et al. The incidence of soft tissue injury in operative tibial plateau fractures: a magnetic resonance imaging analysis of 103 patients. J Orthop Trauma. 2005;19:79–84.
2. Kim KI, Egol KA, Hozack WJ, et al. Periprosthetic fractures after total knee arthroplasties. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2006;446:167–175.
3. Schatzker J. Tibial plateau fractures. Skeletal Trauma 1992;1745–1769.
4. Boursinos LA, Karachalios T, Poultsides L, et al. Do steroids, conventional non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and selective Cox-2 inhibitors adversely affect fracture healing? J Musculoskelet Neuronal Interact. 2009;9:44–52.
5. Krupp RJ, Malkani AL, Roberts CS, et al. Treatment of bicondylar tibia plateau fractures using locked plating versus external fixation. Orthopedics. 2009;32.
6. Ding C, Cicuttini F, Jones G. Tibial subchondral bone size and knee cartilage defects: relevance to knee osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2007.
Additional Reading
Stanitski CL, Harvell JC, Fu F. Observations on acute knee hemarthrosis in children and adolescents. J Pediatr Orthop. 1993;13:506–510.
Codes
ICD9
823.00 Closed fracture of upper end of tibia
Clinical Pearls
  • Need to have a high index of suspicion with ligamentous injury, especially in the setting of large swelling shortly after injury
  • Though tibial plateau fractures have a low overall incidence, these injury patterns must be thought of in trauma owing to the risk of associated vascular insult (see discussion on arteriography under “Diagnostic Tests”).
  • Liberal use of advanced imaging is encouraged for full understanding of the extent of the injury, although x-ray evaluation is still considered the “gold standard” for imaging assessment.
  • The keys—both for early treatment and for long-term reasonable prognosis—lie in compliance with non–weight bearing and ROM.
  • Anticipate the development of osteoarthritis, and educate these patients accordingly.


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