FUNCTIONAL OUTCOME OF COMPLEX TIBIAL PLATEAU FRACTURES TREATED WITH HYBRID EXTERNAL FIXATION

DR. ARUN K.; DR. ABDUL GAFOOR A.; DR. KISHORE S.; DR. ANEEN N. KUTTY

Volume : V, Issue : XI, November - 2016

FUNCTIONAL OUTCOME OF COMPLEX TIBIAL PLATEAU FRACTURES TREATED WITH HYBRID EXTERNAL FIXATION

Dr. Arun K. , Dr. Abdul Gafoor A. , Dr. Kishore S. , Dr. Aneen N. Kutty

Abstract :

BACKGROUND: High energy complex tibial plateau fractures present a surgical challenge to the orthopaedic surgeon. Over the years, treatment has ranged from cast immobilisation to open reduction and internal fixation .More recently, minimally invasive indirect reduction techniques with percutaneous internal fixation augmented by small wire external fixation frames have been used to reduce devastating complications of open reduction and internal fixation of complex tibial plateau fractures OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the functional outcome of complex tibial plateau fractures treated with hyid external fixation. METHODS: The results of treatment of 26 knees were reviewed over a period of 30 months from August 2012 to December 2015. Patients were operated surgically, by the hyid external fixation techniques. Patients were reviewed after 1, 3 and 6 months and functionally and radiologically assessed for outcome. RESULTS: Results were graded as excellent, good, fair and poor on basis of knee society scoring system. 18 patients (69.3%) had excellent outcome, 6 patients (23.1%) had good outcome, 1 patient (3.8%) had a fair result and 1 patient (3.8%) had poor result. The mean union time of fracture was 4 months and only 1 patient (3.8%) underwent secondary procedure for non-union. CONCLUSION: Hyid external fixation is a very effective and useful treatment modality in complex high energy tibial plateau fractures with marked soft tissue damage. This combined minimally invasive internal fixation and external fixation technique provides excellent to good results in most of complex tibial condylar fractures. Minimal soft tissue dissection and early knee range of motion are the most attractive features of hyid external fixation.