Locking Compression Plate for the Treatment of Complex Tibial Plateau Fractures

Objective To report the methods and clinical effects of locking compression plate for the treatment of complex tibial plateau fractures.Methods From January 2006 to January 2009,39 patients with tibial plateau fractures,including 22 males and 17 females,were treated with surgical reduction and internal fixation with locking compression plate.The mean age of the patients was 37 years(18 ～ 50 years).According to Schatzker classification,there were 14 cases of type Ⅳ,19 cases of type Ⅴ,6 cases of type Ⅵ.The follow-up period ranged from 12 to 18 months with a mean of 14 months.The clinical results were assessed according to radiological examination,ranges of motion and Rasmussen evaluation system.Results According to the Rasmussen knee score standard,26 cases were excellent,7 cases were good,4 cases were fair and 2 cases were poor at 12 months postoperatively and the satisfactory rate was 84.6%.One case occurred artificial bone reaction.One case occurred skin flap necrosis.One case occurred wound infection in open fracture.No screw sliding,dislodging and fixation failure were found during follow-up.Conclusion In the treatment of complex tibial plateau fractures,locking compression plate not only maintains satisfying reduction with reliable fixation,but also manipulates simply and invades slightly,thus gets good curative effect,fast recovery,satisfying function and so on.So it is one of the effective fixation techniques for the treatment of complex tibial plateau fractures.