OBJECTIVETo study the clinical therapeutic effects of posterior medial approach inverted L-shaped incision combined with reconstruction plate fixation in treating posterior tibial plateau condylar fracture.

METHODSFrom February 2011 to February 2015, 19 patients that were clearly diagnosed with combined posterior tibial plateau condylar fracture were treated with internal fixation of reconstruction plate through the posterior medial approach L-shaped incision under direct vision, involved 14 males and 5 females with an average age of 45.5 years ranging from 28 to 71 years. The intervals between injury and operation ranged from 6 to 15 days with a mean of 9.2 days. According to Schatzker Classification, there were 6 cases in type II, 2 in type IV, 7 in type V, 4 in type VI In accordance with the three-column theory proposed by Luo Congfeng, 2 cases were medial column combined with posterior column fracture, 6 were lateral column combined with posterior column fracture, and 11 were three-column fracture. The major clinical symptoms before treatment were swelling and deformity of the knee, as well as limitation of motion. X-ray and CT examination were completed. The American Hospital for Special Surgery score(HSS) was used to evaluate clinical effect.

RESULTSOne case developed skin infection in the posteromedial incision postoperatively, but other complications, such as neurovascular injury, deep venous thrombosis of lower limb, cracking and failure of internal fixation, and fracture re-displacement were not seen. The patients were followed up for an average of 12.5 months (10 to 24 months). The fracture healing time ranged from 5 to 11 months with a mean of 8.2 months. According to HSS, the total score was 82.1±7.3, 9 patients got an excellent result, 7 good, 2 poor and 1 bad. Regular postoperative re-check X-ray indicated that all fracture showed stage I healing. The difference was not significant on varus angle, post-dip angle and femorotibial angle between 3 days and 1 year after operaiton.

CONCLUSIONSTreating the posterior tibial plateau condylar fracture through the posterior medial approach L-shaped incision of the knee rendered sufficient exposure, little injury, as well as convenient and effective installation of internal fixation. Reconstruction plate possessed the advantages of good plasticity, strong supportability, small implant volume, together with low cost;and the structural and functional recovery of the knee could achieve satisfying clinical therapeutic effects as combined with appropriate postoperative rehabilitation training.