The effect of sagittal plane deformities after tibial plateau fractures to functions and instability of knee joint

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of posterior tibial slope after fracture healing on antero-posterior knee laxity, functional outcome and patient satisfaction. MATERIAL AND METHODS 126 patients who were treated for tibial plateau fractures between 2008-2013 in the orthopedics and traumatology department of our institution were evaluated for the study. Patients were treated with open reduction and internal fixation, arthroscopy assisted minimally invasive osteosynthesis or conservative treatment. RESULTS Mean posterior tibial slope after the treatment was 6.91 ? 5.11 and there was no significant difference when compared to the uninvolved side 6.42 ? 4,21 (p = 0.794). Knee laxity in anterior-posterior plane was 6.14 ? 2.11 and 5.95 ? 2.25 respectively on healthy and injured side. The difference of mean laxity in anterior-posterior plane between two sides was statistically significant. DISCUSSION In this study we found no difference in laxity between the injured and healthy knees. However Tegner score decreased significantly in patients who had greater laxity difference between the knees. We did not find significant difference between fracture type and laxity, IKDC functional scores independent of the ligamentous injury. CONCLUSION In conclusion despite coronal alignment is taken into consideration in treatment of tibial plateau fractures, sagittal alignment is reasonably important for stability and should not be ignored.