2. Anatomy
⢠The tibia is the larger and medial bone of the crus, or middle segment
of the hind limb.
⢠The articular surface at the proximal end of the tibia comprises two
concave or dished areas: the upper surfaces of the medial and lateral
condyles, and between them the intercondylar groove or fossa.
⢠Just distal to the lateral condyle, on the lateral surface and facing
distally, is the small, nearly oval facet for the head of the fibula.
⢠On the posterior surface of the tibia, between the condyles, is
the popliteal notch. A small muscle, the popliteus, lies in the notch
and is a flexor of the knee joint.
⢠The tibial tuberosity, for insertion of the patellar ligament, lies
anteriorly.
⢠The tibial crest continues distally from the tuberosity along the shaft.
3. ⢠The tibial plateau is the proximal tibial surface on which the femur
rests. It is divided into two articular sections, one for each femoral
condyle. In life there are fibro-cartilagenous rings around the
periphery of these articular facets, the medial and lateral menisci.
⢠The medial intercondylar tubercle forms the medial part of the
intercondylar eminence.
⢠The lateral intercondylar tubercle forms the lateral part of the
intercondylar eminence.
⢠The anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments and the anterior and
posterior extremities of the menisci insert into the non-articular areas
between the condyles, which are just anterior and posterior to the
medial and lateral intercondylar tubercles, respectively.
4.
5.
6. Bony Prominences near Tibial plateau
â˘ANTERIORLY :- TIBIAL TUBERCLE
Patellar tendon insertion.
â˘ANTEROLATERALLY :- GERDYâS TUBERCLE
⢠Insertion of Iliotibial band
â˘ANTEROMEDIALY :- PES ANSERINUS
⢠Attachment of Medial Hamstrings
â˘Sartorius Gracillis
Semitendinosus
7.
8. ⢠Tibial plateau composed of articular surfaces of medial and lateral
tibial plateaus, on which cartilagenous menisci are present.
⢠Medial plateau Lateral plateau
⢠Larger in size smaller in size
⢠concave convex
⢠inferior 2-3mm superior
⢠cartilage thickness 3mm 4mm
⢠lesser meniscal coverage greater
⢠The lateral plateau is higher than the medial accounting for few
degrees of varus of tibial plateau in relation to the shaft.
9.
10. ⢠The proximal articular surface slopes in relation to the shaft â
Normal tibial plateau has Posterio - inferior slope ~ 5-15 degrees
(Posterior proximal tibial angle)
14. ⢠Fractures of tibial plateau involve the articular surface of proximal
tibia
⢠Most common long bone fractures
⢠Small rim avulsions = occur in conjunction with knee dislocations and
other ligaments injury of the knee
⢠Assessing the associated soft tissue injuries around the knee is
critically important.
⢠Certain fracture patterns have high risk of limb threatening
complications such as compartment syndrome & neurovascular
damage
15. ⢠Low energy causes = lateral plateau fractures 55-70% [more
common]
⢠High energy causes = medial plateau 10-20%
and bicondylar fractures 10-30%.
⢠Tibial plateau fractures represent 1% of all fractures
⢠8% of all fractures in elderly
⢠Fractures in men = younger age and tend to be result of high energy
trauma
⢠in women = increasing incidence with advancing age [6th & 7th
decade ] -------------- indicates these occurs in osteopenic bone
16. Anatomy
⢠Proximal tibia
triangular
wide metaphyseal region
narrow distally
⢠Muscles - deforming forces
⢠Patellar tendon
proximal fragment into extension
fracture into apex anterior, or procurvatum
⢠Gastrocnemius
distal fragment into flexion
⢠Pes anserinus
proximal fragment into varus
17.
18. MECHANISM OF INJURY
⢠Valgus and Varus forces = Split fractures + Collateral ligament tear.
⢠Axial forces = Local compression/Depression fractures.
⢠Combination of both forces = Split depression fractures + Collateral
ligament tear.
⢠The greater the energy absorbed by the proximal tibia = more the
severe the fracture , more the fragments are displaced and
comminuted.
⢠Axially loading forces are more rapid and release greater energy
than angular forces.
19. ⢠The medial plateau is more resistant to failure than the lateral
plateau
⢠Middle aged or elderly patients simple falls lead most commonly to
lateral plateau fractures.
⢠Younger patients high speed energy caused split fractures / rim
avulsions associated with knee ligament injuries.
⢠The proximal tibia is most likely to be subjected to a valgus force
because of the normal 5-7 degrees of valgus alignment of the knee.
23. AO / OTA CLASSIFICATION
⢠Type A â Extraarticular
⢠Type B - Partial Articular
⢠Type C - Intra-articular and Metaphyseal
24.
25.
26. ASSOCIATED INJURIES
⢠90% of these fractures associated with soft tissue injuries
⢠Meniscal tears occurs in 50% of these fractures
⢠Associated ligamentous injuries (cruciate or collateral) occur in 30%
of these fractures
⢠Other associated peripheral fractures of margins of the tibia â
Segond fracture,
Reverse segond fracture,
anteromedial tibial margin fractures,
semi-membranous tendon site insertion fracture
⢠Others-: common Peroneal nerve
Popliteal artery injury
27. ⢠The mechanism of injury clues to the fracture pattern.
⢠The fracture pattern guides treatment, decisions and determines the
risk of complications.
⢠The physical examination of the knee and leg is critically important to
diagnose associated injuries and complications.
⢠Metaphyseal-diaphyseal distraction patterns and fracture dislocations
are particular risk for vascular and neurologic injury.
⢠Medial condyle #s and schatzker type 6 #s have risk of compartment
syndrome.
⢠Tibial plateaus may have communicating open wound , to be
identified on physical examination
28.
29. Evaluation
⢠Trauma evaluation
ABCs
Associated injuries
⢠Evaluation of limb
gentle examination of knee stability
observation of soft tissues
neurovascular evaluation
evaluation of compartment
⢠Imaging evaluation
30. Physical examination
⢠Neurological examination
Peroneal nerve especially with valgus force
Compartment syndrome with severe injuries
⢠Vascular exam
Palpable pulses donât exclude injury
Popliteal artery and medial plateau injury
Knee dislocation posing as a fracture
Posteriorly displaced fracture fragments
⢠Soft tissue assessment
Gustilo and anderson [ open injury ]
Tscherene and goetzen [ closed injury ]
Severity of swelling, location of blisters â size, character.
31. ⢠Hemarthrosis , Aspirate for:
.Pain relief
.Fat evaluation
⢠Assessment of stability after local anaesthetic.
.Valgus / Varus in full extension
⢠Compartment syndrome
.Pain on passive stretch
.Pain out of proportion
33. Radiographic evaluation
⢠Ap view in plane of plateau(10-15 degrees caudally) , Laterally
⢠Oblique view â Internal rotation view
shows posterolateral fragment.
⢠Traction films
restores the gross geometry of proximal tibia
Decreases the overlap and better defines the fracture fragments
two types â Manual traction
- Traction by joint spanning external fixator.
⢠CT scan â Demonstrates the more articular displacement and comminution
⢠MRI â Location of fracture lines and degree of articular displacement ,
Injuries to the soft tissues structures of the knee(Menisci and Ligaments).
MRI is the imaging modality of choice when there is a proximal tibia stress
35. NON OPERATIVE
⢠The proximal tibial articular surface tolerates small to modest articular
displacements , therefore non operative treatment results in excellent outcomes
despite the articular irregularities.
⢠The minimally displaced medial total condylar # has greater potential for
displacement that may lead to unacceptable varus deformity.
⢠Indicated for non-displaced or minimally displaced fractures
without any ligament injury
In pts with advance osteoporosis
Small depression of lateral plateau without deformity.
36. Bracing Tibial Plateau Fracture
⢠Cast bracing used as both primary non operative treatment and adjunct to ORIF.
⢠It is used to unload the injured side of the joint .
⢠Used to stabilize the joint while permitting some degree of joint mobility.
⢠Immobilization with cast or brace for week .
⢠Injured knees with tibial fractures tolerate upto 6weeks of cast immobilization
before becoming increasingly stiff
⢠followed by early range of knee motion
in a hinged knee brace along with
skeletal traction
37. Weight bearing guidelines
⢠The duration of non weight bearing depends on fracture pattern but
typically 4 â 8 weeks.
⢠Isometric quadriceps exercises and progressive passive, active-
assisted, and active range-of-knee motion exercises are indicated .
⢠Toe touch weight bearing for 8 to 12 weeks is allowed, with
progression to full weight bearing
38. Operative
⢠Indicated for displaced unstable tibial plateau fractures where near
normal alignment canât be predicted
⢠It includes â all bicondylar fractures
shaft dissociated patterns
lateral pattern fractures â split fragments
depression affecting ½ of lateral articular surface
fibular head fracture
valgus alignment on x rays and clinical
39. Indications
⢠The no. of millimetres of depression of the articular surface measured on x rays
has been used to indicate surgery.
⢠Acceptable articular displacement is controversial
⢠Some authors recommended sx --- articular stepoff > 2mm
other - articular stepoff>5mm
⢠If the articular depression is 5 to 8mm ,the decision for operative or non
operative t/t depends on âage of pt
- activity demand of the knee
⢠Instability > 10 degrees of nearly extended knee compared to the contralateral
side is an absolute indication.
⢠Open fractures
⢠Associated compartment syndrome
⢠Associated vascular injury
41. AIMS OF SURGERY
⢠Restoration of articular congruity, joint stability and original knee axis
⢠Provide fracture stability allowing for early pain free movement of
knee & mobilization of the pt.
⢠Obtain full functional recovery as a long term goal.
⢠Avoidance of posttraumatic arthritis.
42. Approaches
⢠The fracture pattern and classification dictates the operative
approach, fixation, risk of complications, to some extent outcome.
⢠Two frequently used surgical approaches to reduce and internally fix
the fractures : antero-lateral approach = lateral plateau #s
postero-medial approach = medial plateau #s
⢠They are used together for the patterns that involve both condyles.
⢠Most other approaches reserved for special circumstances.
- posterior approach
- anterior approach
43. ANTERO â LATERAL APPROACH
⢠Most common approach to surgically reduce and internally fix tibial plateau
fractures.
⢠Proximal exposure develops subcutaneous access
posteriorly towards the fibular head for placement
of a lateral tibial L- shaped plate.
⢠Used for ORIF of lateral plateau
⢠S shaped incision starting approximately 3-5 cm
proximal to joint line
⢠Staying just lateral to patellar tendon
⢠incision is curved anteriorly over Gerdyâs tubercle
and it is extended distally ,1cm lateral to anterior
border of tibia.
44. POSTERO â MEDIAL APPROACH
⢠Used to reduce and fix the medial side of proximal tibia and
Particularly the posteromedial fragment.
⢠It has the advantage of relatively good soft tissue cover
⢠For ORIF of # Medial tibial plateau
⢠A 6 cm longitudinal incision over the
postero- medial border of proximal tibia is made
and then subcutaneous fat is incised and Pes Anserinus is divided and
retracted
⢠The subcutaneous dissection must avoid saphenous
nerve and vein
⢠The deep interval is btwn the posterior border of the
pes anserinus and the medial head of gastrocnemius.
45. Principles of surgical procedures
⢠Seven surgical procedures commonly utilized.
⢠No. 1 â limited approach technique with arthroscopic or fluoroscopic assessment
of reduction = OA / ATO B1 or schatzker 1.
⢠No. 2 â Reduction and buttress plate fixation and void filling
=OTA / AO B2 or B3 or schatzker type 2.
⢠No. 3 â Limited approach technique with arthroscopic or fluoroscopic assessment
of reduction and screw or plate fixation and void filling.
= schatzker type 3.
⢠No. 4 â Medial anti-glide plating via posteromedial approach.
= OTA / AO B1,2,3 or schatzker type 4.
⢠No. 5 â Dual plating ; Lateral locking plating ; and External fixation.
= OTA / AO 41C or schatzker 5 & 6.
54. Management of soft tissue
⢠The worst soft tissue injury occur with bicondylar fractures, fracture
dislocations, shaft dissociated patterns.
⢠Fracture blisters occur when soft tissue injury is severe.
⢠Severe closed soft tissue injuries take many days or even weeks after
the injury to recover.
⢠Open soft tissue injuries should be urgently debrided.
⢠Soft tissue coverage may be needed â like rotational flaps [from
medial or lateral heads of gastrocnemius ]
⢠Surgical timing, temporary spanning external fixation, and
recognizing the risk of compartment syndrome = optimize the
outcomes due to soft tissue injury.
55. Principles of external fixator
⢠External fixation is now frequently used as a temporary treatment by
spanning the knee
⢠It restores the length & aligns the fracture during soft tissue
recovery prior to definitive treatment with IF .
⢠Indications
severe soft tissue injury / open wounds [best indicator ]
delay in the time for surgery
bicondylar #s
⢠The frame and bone fixation elements must come over the
deforming muscle forces.
⢠The tibial pins should be placed in a way not to interfere with
subsequent procedures of internal fixation.
56. ⢠The external fixator spans both the fracture and knee & pins avoid the entire
zone of injury.
⢠The joint spanning frames = severe #s with marked displacement, shortening,
subluxation.
⢠The ex-fix will span the metaphyseal area of fracture and stabilize the tibial
condyles to tibial shaft.
â˘EXTERNAL FIXATORS
⢠Bridging external fixator
⢠Hybrid external fixator
⢠Ring external fixator
58. ⢠If pin fixator, hydroxyapatite coated pins provide longer lasting
purchase.
⢠Pins are placed medially, antero-medial, antero-lateral.
⢠Pins and wires should be kept as far away from articular surface to
minimize the chance of septic arthritis.
⢠In severe cases with soft tissue injury, fracture instability and small
peri-articular fragments = cross-knee spanning frame used to
neutralize the cross- joint forces.
⢠External fixator helps in early weight bearing.
59. Principles of void filling
⢠Reducing the depressed tibial articular fragments, leads to empty
areas in bone or voids beneath the reduced fragments
⢠They donât present a risk for healing process.
⢠They are an area that lack support for reduced articular fragments
increasing re-displacement despite internal fixation.
⢠Materials used :
grafting [ iliac crest ]
interporous coraline hydroxyapatite
beta tricalcium phosphate
phase changing cements â calcium phosphate [ Ca-P ]
rafting screw technique [ support the reduced fragment ]
60. Adverse Outcomes & Complications
⢠Loss of reduction in tibial plateau fractures.
⢠Wound infection and breakdown.
⢠Septic arthritis after external fixation.
⢠Knee stiffness.
⢠Painful prominent hardware.
⢠Tibial non union.
⢠Post traumatic arthritis.
62. ⢠Tibial spine also called intercondylar eminence.
⢠The term tibial spine refers to area btwn the medial and lateral tibial
plateaus, on the proximal tibia
⢠It consists of lateral tibial spine and medial tibial spine.
⢠The ACL inserts on the medial tibial spine.
⢠Tibial spine fractures occur at the base of the medial tibial spine and
are ACL equivalent injuries.
⢠The fracture may extend into medial & lateral articular surfaces.
⢠These injuries can occur during sporting endeavors.
⢠They are more common in skeletally immature patients btwn ages
8-14yrs.
63. ⢠Mechanism of injury = hyperextension to knee [ classical ], rotation,
ab/aduction.
⢠The injury creates traction on ACL and causes avulsion of tibial spine.
⢠ACL STRONGER THAN TIBIAL SPINE. The immature tibial spine is
weaker than ACL
⢠They should be operatively manages if displaced. But the meniscus
and intermeniscal ligament can be the barriers for reduction.
⢠Although ACL laxity occurs commonly due to ligamentous stretch
during the injury, this laxity is rarely clinically significant if the fracture
is properly treated.
64. CLASSIFICATION â MEYERS AND
McKEEVER⢠TYPE â 1
incomplete avulsion with no / minimal displacement.
⢠TYPE â 2
fractures are displaced anteriorly with intact posterior hinge.
⢠TYPE â 3
fractures are displaced completely from proximal tibia.
⢠Modified by ZARICANYJ as
⢠TYPE â 4
comminuted fractures.
65.
66. Treatment
⢠Based on the magnitude of displacement of fracture and the presence of
additional intra articular injury.
⢠GOALS OF SURGERY :
anatomic reduction of the fracture
preservation of motion.
⢠TYPE -1 : Non displaced and minimal displaced fractures = treated non
operatively with either casting or bracing . In full extension or slight flexion for
approx. 6weeks.
⢠TYPE -2 : managed with immobilization of knee extension +/- arthrocentesis if a
near anatomic reduction can be achieved.
⢠TYPE â 3 : either arthroscopic or ORIF with screws and wires. Sx allows the
removal of barriers of reduction and anatomic fixation of fracture & to restore
normal function of ACL.
70. Anatomy
⢠Proximal tibia has two ossification centers
⢠Primary ossification center (proximal tibial physis)
⢠Secondary ossification center (tibial tubercle physis or apophysis)
insertion of patellar tendon
⢠Physeal closure occurs from posterior to anterior and proximal to
distal, with the tibial tubercle the last to fuse
⢠Places distal secondary center at greater risk of injury in older
children
⢠Extensor mechanism exerts great force at secondary ossification
center
71. ⢠These are common fractures that occur in adolescent boys near the
end of skeletal growth during athletic activity.
⢠Concentric contraction of quadriceps during jumping
⢠An eccentric contraction of quadriceps against a flexed knee.
Epidemiology :
⢠Less than 1% of paediatric fractures.
⢠Males >> females .
⢠Age 12-15yrs [ approaching skeletal maturity ]
Associated conditions
compartment syndrome (4%)
meniscal tears with Type III injuries
72. Ogden Classification (modification of Watson-Jones)
⢠Based on level of fracture and presence of fragment displacement
⢠Type III most common
⢠Type I- fracture of the secondary ossification center near the insertion
of the patellar tendon
⢠Type II- fracture propagates proximal between primary and secondary
ossification centers
⢠Type III- coronal fracture extending posteriorly to cross the primary
ossification center
⢠Type IV- fracture through the entire proximal tibial physis
⢠Type V- periosteal sleeve avulsion of the extensor mechanism from
the secondary ossification center
73.
74. EvaluationSymptoms
⢠sudden onset of pain
generally occurs during the initiation of jumping or sprinting
⢠inability to immediately ambulate
⢠knee swelling/hemarthrosis with Type III injuries
Physical exam
⢠inspection & palpation
knee effusion
tenderness at the tibial tubercle
evaluate for anterior compartment firmness
ROM & instability
⢠extensor lag or extensor deficiency in Type II or III injuries
⢠retinacular fibers may allow for active extension
75. Imaging
⢠Radiographs
AP
Lateral
⢠Findings widening or hinging open of the apophysis
⢠Fracture line may be seen extending proximally and variable distance posteriorly
⢠Anterior swelling may be the only sign in the setting of a periosteal sleeve
avulsion (type V injury)
⢠Patella alta
⢠CT - can be useful to evaluate for intra-articular or posterior extension
⢠MRI - generally not indicated
useful for determining fracture extension in a nondisplaced Type II injury or
type V injury
76. Treatment
⢠Nonoperative
⢠long leg cast in extension for 6 weeks
⢠Indications
Type I injuries or those with minimal displacement (< 2 mm)
acceptable displacement after closed reduction/cast application
⢠Operative
⢠Open reduction internal fixation with arthrotomy +/- arthroscopy, +/-
soft tissue repair
⢠Indications
Type II-IV fractures - need to visualize joint surface for perfect
reduction and evaluate for intra-articular pathology
soft tissue repair for Type V (periosteal sleeve) fracture
77. Complications
⢠Recurvatum deformity
more common than leg length discrepancy
growth arrest anteriorly and posterior growth continues
leading to decrease in tibial slope
⢠Compartment syndrome
related to injury of anterior tibial recurrent artery
⢠Stiffness
⢠Bursitis most common complication following surgical repair
due to prominence of screws and hardware about the knee, resolved
upon hardware removal
⢠Vascular Injury to popliteal artery as it passes posteriorly over distal
metaphyseal fragment
79. ⢠Physeal considerations
general assumptions
⢠leg growth continues until
⢠16 yrs in boys
⢠14 yrs in girls
⢠growth contribution
⢠leg grows 23 mm/year, with most of that coming from the knee
(15 mm/yr)
proximal tibia - 6 mm/yr (1/4 in)
⢠closure of proximal tibial epiphysis occurs in a predictable pattern
⢠sagittal plane - posterior to anterior
⢠coronal plane - medial to lateral
⢠axial plane - posteromedial to anterolateral
80. ⢠Uncommon , 3% of epiphyseal injuries of lower extremity
⢠Proximal tibia epiphyses
55% of the length of tibia
25% of the entire length of the limb
⢠Popliteal artery : lies close to the epiphyses in popliteal fossa , at risk
of injury with displaced fracture
⢠Classification : Salter â Harris classification.
81.
82.
83. Presentation
⢠Symptoms
inability to bear weight
⢠Physical exam
Inspection
pain and swelling
tenderness along the physis
may see deformity or have palpable step-off if displaced
⢠Motion may see varus or valgus knee instability on exam
⢠Neurovascular exam
important to perform thorough neurovascular exam
physis is at same level of trifurcation of vessels and there is a
risk of vascular compromise with displacement
84. Treatment
⢠Nonoperative- immobilization in long leg cast
⢠indications
⢠non-displaced (< 2mm) fractures
⢠stable Salter-Harris type I and type II fractures
⢠techniques
⢠reduce with traction and gentle flexion
⢠cast in slight flexion for 6 weeks
⢠outcomes
⢠redisplacement is common without fixation
85. ⢠Operative
1. CRPP [closed reduction and percutaneous pinning ]
⢠indications
unstable Salter-Harris type I and type II fractures
redisplacement following closed treatment
2. ORIF
⢠indications
irreducible fractures
usually due to diaphyseal periosteal flap blocking reduction
displaced (> 2mm) Salter-Harris type III and type IV fractures
vascular injury
87. Complications
⢠Loss of reduction
⢠Growth disturbances (25%)
can lead to limb length discrepancy and/or angular deformities
more common in open fractures
⢠Compartment syndrome
⢠Ligamentous instability