Restoring Condylar Width: Radiographic Relationship Between the Lateral Tibial Plateau and Lateral Femoral Condyle in Normal Adult Knees

Limb position affects intraoperative assessment of condylar width

PURPOSE

We sought to define how changes in position and rotation of fluoroscopic imaging may affect the assessment of condylar widening intraoperatively.

METHODS

Thirty-three patients with tibial plateau fractures were prospectively identified and included in this study. Fluoroscopic images of the uninjured tibial plateau were obtained in (1) full extension and (2) slight flexion on foam ramp. Beginning with a plateau view, additional views of the tibial plateau were then obtained by rotating the fluoroscope around the knee in 5 degree increments up to 15 degrees in both internal and external rotation. Measurements of distal femoral condylar width (DFW), distal femoral articular width (FAW), proximal tibial articular width (TAW) and lateral plateau width (LPW) were performed.

RESULTS

LPW was decreased in flexion compared to extension at all degrees of rotation (p = 0.04-0.00001). There was a trend toward increasing LPW with increasing degrees of internal rotation which reached significance at 15˚ of internal rotation when the knee was flexed. On ANOVA, there was a significant difference of LPW with increasing degree of internal rotation when the knee was in flexion (p = 0.008), but not in extension. There were no differences in DFW, FAW, TAW and DFW/TAW at any point though LPW was decreased in flexion at all degrees of rotation. The FAW/TAW ratio was increased in flexion at all degrees of rotation.

DISCUSSION

The knee in flexion will underestimate the measurement of condylar width compared to the knee in full extension, by ~ 2 mm. Rotation of the knee, in comparison, did not have a significant effect on condylar width assessment.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Diagnostic II.

Bicondylar tibial plateau fracture dislocations with an intact anterolateral cortical rim: A surgical technique

A displaced medial tibial plateau fracture with central and lateral impaction, but an intact anterolateral cortical rim, is an uncommon variant of bicondylar tibial plateau fracture that presents a number of challenges. Without a lateral metaphyseal fracture line to work through, it is challenging to address central and lateral impaction. Previously published techniques for addressing this fracture pattern describe an intra-articular osteotomy of the lateral plateau to aid visualization and reduction, or use a posterolateral approach to the proximal tibia with or without an osteotomy of the proximal fibula. This study presents a technique which utilizes standard dual incision approaches and does not involve an intra-articular osteotomy of the lateral tibial plateau or a posterolateral approach. A case series was conducted evaluating radiographic and functional outcomes of 8 patients.