Treatment of tibial plateau fractures

  1. Non-operative treatment (1) Indications: tibial plateau fracture without displacement or fracture collapse <2 mm, crackle displacement <5 mm, comminuted fracture or fracture not easily repositioned by surgical incision.  (2) Traction method: heel traction with a weight of 3 to 3.5 kg and arthrocentesis to aspirate the joint hematoma for 4 to 6 weeks. Relying on the traction force to make the knee ligament and joint tension, indirectly pulling to rectify part of the fracture displacement to correct the knee inversion or valgus into angle, actively exercise the knee movement during the traction period, can make the knee flexion movement up to 90°, and make the joint shaping.  (3) Arthroscopic assisted repositioning and fixation: Arthroscopic assisted repositioning and fixation techniques are beginning to be used. Arthroscopic surgery has less soft tissue damage, provides better articular surface exposure and can diagnose and treat concurrent meniscal injuries. CPM passive activities are started early after surgery to exercise function.  2. Surgical treatment Surgical treatment should be performed for tibial plateau fractures with joint surface collapse of more than 2 mm and lateral displacement of more than 5 mm; combined with knee ligament injury and knee inversion or valgus of more than 5°.