ASSESSMENT OF FUNCTIONAL OUTCOME AND COMPLICATIONS OF HIGH ENERGY SCHATZKER TYPE V AND VI PROXIMAL TIBIA FRACTURES MANAGED BY OPEN REDUCTION AND INTERNAL FIXATION

Background:Schatzker Type V and VI tibial fractures are complex injuries and are usually treated with open reduction and internal fixation. Although there are many other treatment methods, there is no gold standard treatment for these fractures. Hence, the present study was undertaken to evaluate outcome and associated complications of open reduction and internal fixation for Schatzker type V and VI proximal tibial fractures. Methodology:This observational study was conducted on 32 patients with Schatzker type V and VI tibial plateau fractures. Patients of age more than 18 years of any gender with these fractures were included. Clinical and radiological assessments were done at 1, 3 and 6 months postoperatively. Oxford Knee Scoring system was used for assessing the functional outcome. Analysis of repeated measurements was done using Generalized Estimating Equations method. A p value <0.05 was taken as statistically significant. Results:The mean of the patients was 44.66 ± 12.31 years. Right side affection was more common. Complete radiological union was achieved in 84.4%, malunion in 12.5% and non-union in 3.1%. Most of the patients achieved union within 15-20 weeks. Knee stiffness (18.8%) was the commonest complication encountered. The mean Oxford score showed a significant improvement from 1 month till 6 months (p<0.05), but we could not find any significant differences in the mean Oxford score between the type V and VI tibial plateau fractures. Excellent and goods results were seen in 43.8% each fair in 9.4% and poor in 3.1%. Conclusion:Open reduction with internal fixation had shown good to excellent results in our study in patients with Schatzker type V and VI tibial plateau fractures with low rate of complications.