ORIGINAL ARTICLES   

Minerva Ortopedica e Traumatologica 2014 April;65(2):171-8

Copyright © 2014 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Cortical 3.5-mm screws in tibial plateau fracture surgery

Jabal-Ameli M. ¹, Masdari Z. ², Radi M. ¹, Hadi H. A. ¹, Mokhtari T. ³ ✉

¹ Department of knee surgery, Shafa Orthopedic Hospital, Tehran, Iran; ² Shafa Orthopedic Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; ³ Department of Orthopedic Research, Shafa Orthopedic Hospital, Tehran, Iran

AIM: The aim of this study was to assess functional and radiologic results of tibial plateau fracture ORIF with subchondral cortical 3.5-mm raft screws compared with cancellous 6.5-mm screws.
METHODS: Between 2007 to 2011 we have retrospectively reviewed functional and radiological outcomes of 48 treated tibial plateau fractures with ORIF in Shafa-Yahyaian Hospital. All fractures were classified according to Schatzker classification. There were two Schatzker type I, 25 type II, one type III, 10 type IV, 8 type V and two type VI. Complication rate including infection, deep vein thrombosis and skin breakdown was low. In 42 cases, in which subchondral rafting screws were used, two groups were identified: 25 cases of cancellous 6.5-mm and 17 cases of cortical 3.5-mm screws. Patients were followed for a mean of 24 months.
RESULTS: Functional outcomes based on WOMAC Score, showed no difference between the two groups. At two-year follow-up, Ahlback Score was statistically different in the two groups in favor of using cortical 3.5 screws.
CONCLUSION: Our results confirm previous studies, reporting better results with multiple smaller subchondral raft screws in the treatment of tibial plateau fractures.