Minimal implant fixation for schatzker type V And VI osteoporotic tibial plateau fractures

Introduction: Knee being one of the major weight bearing joints of the body, fractures around it will be of regnant importance. This study is to analyse outcomes in Schatzker type V and type VI fractures treated only with medial plates, which are usually treated with dual plating. Materials and Methods: 30 osteoporotic patients were selected having type V and type VI fractures of tibial plateau, fractures were selected from March 2016-March 2017 from Civil Hospital Ahmedabad, who were treated only with medial plates. These patients were followed for a period of six months and functional outcome was evaluated based on the Oxford Knee Criteria. Results: 30 patients who completed six months follow up after surgery were included in our study. All of them had satisfactory articular reduction and good alignment on coronal and sagittal planes which was assessed by AP and lateral X rays. 90% returned to their preinjury levels of activity within 6 months of time. Only 1 of them had deep infection followed by implant removal. Functional outcome was excellent in 22 patients and good in 8 patients as assessed by Oxford Knee Score. Conclusion: Tibia being a subcutaneous bone, is prone to more hardware complications like infections and implant impingement. To overcome these complications, minimal implant fixation is must. Medial plating in bicondylar tibial fractures serves as a very good option which provides early mobilization in patients which not only takes care of the soft tissue but also leads to early mobilization of the patient.