Trans-articular Kirschner wire fixation in treating complex tibial plateau fractures complicated by multiple ligaments injuries: A case report and literature review

Concomitant periarticular fractures predict worse patient-reported outcomes in multiligament knee injuries: a matched cohort study

AIM

There is a shortage of high-level evidence regarding periarticular fractures affect outcomes after MLKIs. The purpose of this study was to determine whether concomitant periarticular fractures with mutliligament knee injuries (MLKIs) predict worse patient-reported outcomes (PROMs) when compared to MLKIs without concomitant periarticular fractures after surgical repair and/or reconstruction.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Medical records of patients who sustained MLKIs from January 1, 2009 to June 1, 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. All patients aged 18-65 years with grade III injuries of two or more knee ligaments and 1-year minimum follow-up were included. Patients with injuries or surgeries to either knee before their MLKIs were excluded. Radiographs and computed tomography imaging obtained at the time of injury were used to detect concomitant periarticular fractures. Patients with and without concomitant periarticular fractures were matched on a 1:2 basis, respectively. Multiple PROMs were collected, including the IKDC Subjective Knee Form (IKDC-SKF), and Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS). The independent t-test was used to compare PROMs between patients with and without periarticular fractures.

RESULTS

Eighteen patients (10 males, 8 females) with a mean follow-up of 4.0 years (range 1.1-8.6 years) were included in the final analysis, with six patients having MLKIs and concomitant periarticular fractures. Compared to patients with isolated ligamentous MLKIs (n   =  12), patients with concomitant periarticular fracture (n = 6) demonstrated significantly worse outcomes on the IKDC-SKF (54.2 ± 13.3 vs. 74.0 ± 19.6, p = 0.04) and KOOS-Sports and Recreation subscale (41.2 ± 32.4 vs. 70.8 ± 19.4, p = 0.03).

CONCLUSION

The presence of a periarticular fracture predicted significantly worse clinical outcomes in the setting of MLKI. These findings may be useful in determining the prognosis of MLKI with concomitant periarticular fractures treated with surgical repair and/or reconstruction.

[Application of simple Ilizarov ring external fixation technique in treatment of tibial plateau fracture complicated with osteofascial compartment syndrome]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the effectiveness of simple Ilizarov ring external fixation technique in treatment of tibial plateau fractures complicated with osteofascial compartment syndrome.

METHODS

Between September 2013 and March 2017, 30 patients with tibial plateau fractures complicated with osteofascial compartment syndrome were treated with simple Ilizarov ring external fixation technique. There were 23 males and 7 females, with an average age of 34.4 years (range, 23-43 years). The injuries were caused by traffic accident in 12 cases, by falling from height in 4 cases, by falling in 8 cases, and by a crashing object in 6 cases. The time from injury to admission was 1-12 hours (mean, 4.8 hours). According to the Schatzker classification, there was 1 case of type Ⅱ, 3 cases of type Ⅲ, 10 cases of type Ⅳ, 7 cases of type Ⅴ, and 9 cases of type Ⅵ. All patients underwent fasciotomy due to osteofascial compartment syndrome; the interval between fasciotomy and operation was 10-15 days (mean, 12.5 days). Knee Society Score (KSS) and Ilizarov Method Research and Application Association (ASAMI) protocol were used to evaluate knee function.

RESULTS

The operation time was 110-155 minutes (mean, 123.1 minutes); the intraoperative blood loss was 100-500 mL (mean, 245 mL); the postoperative hospital stay was 3-5 days (mean, 3.8 days). All patients were followed up 20-24 weeks (mean, 22.7 weeks). Except for 2 patients with signs of needle tract infection, no other complication occurred. X-ray films showed that the fractures healed, and the healing time was 10-20 weeks (mean, 14.6 weeks). At last follow-up, the KSS clinical score was 70- 95 with an average of 87.5; the functional score was 70-90 with an average of 79.0. According to ASAMI protocol evaluation, the effectiveness was rated as excellent in 24 cases, good in 3 cases, fair in 2 cases, and poor in 1 case.

CONCLUSION

For tibial plateau fractures complicated with osteofascial compartment syndrome, simple Ilizarov ring external fixation technique can basically restore joint function and has fewer complications. It is a relatively safe and effective treatment method.