OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical effects of double-plating internal fixation for the treatment of medial tibial plateau fractures with fracture-dislocation type through combined anterior and inverted "L" posteromedial knee approaches.

METHODSFrom February 2010 to September 2013, 17 patients with medial tibial plateau fractures with fracture-dislocation type were treated by double-plating internal fixation at our department. Anterior knee approach was adopted for medial mass reduction and fixation,while the inverted "L" posteromedial approach was used for posteromedial mass. There were 11 males and 6 females, with an average age of 42 years old (ranged, 21 to 65 years old). The efficacy were investigated by comparing pre- and post-operative radiographic data, and by evaluating clinical symptoms using the HSS score system.

RESULTSAll the patients were followed with a mean time of 18 months (ranged, 11 to 25 months). The tibial-plateau varus angle immediately after operation and at the latest follow-up were respectively (87.8 ± 4.2)° and (88.2 ± 4.6)°, and there was no statistical difference (P = 0.458). The posterior slope angle immediately after operation and at the latest follow-up were respectively (10.1 ± 3.7)° and (10.3 ± 4.1)°, and there was no statistical difference (P = 0.512). The knee joint HSS score was 86.7 ± 6.1. No patient had complications such as infection, skin necrosis, internal fixation loosening or loss of fracture reduction.

CONCLUSIONDoubl-plating internal fixation through combined approaches is an ideal operation method for medial tibial plateau fractures with fracture-dislocation type, because it can provide clear surgical field, satisfactory reduction, reliable fixation, and chance for early functional exercise.