OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical outcome of arthroscopy techniques for the treatment of tibial intercondylar eminence fractures through patellofemoral joint space.

METHODSFrom September 2008 to September 2012,45 patients (32 males, 13 females; ranging in age from 15 to 22 years old) with intercondylar eminence fractures (29 left knees and 16 right knees) were treated with reduction and fixation through patellofemoral joint space under arthroscopy. All fractures were fresh fracture and were treated within 10 days after trauma. The fractures were confirmed by X-ray. According to Meyers and McKeever classification, 27 patients had fractures with type III and 18 patients had fractures with type II. After operation, X-ray films were taken to evaluate fracture heal,and Lysholm criteria was used to evaluate therapeutic effects.

RESULTSAll the patients were followed up, and all fractures healed at 3 months after operation. During the follow-up period, all the patients had excellent or good results,without complications such as nonunion, limit extension caused by intercondyloid fossa knocking of knee joint, strengthening pain and anterior instability of knee joint. The mean Lysholm score was 92 (ranged, 85 to 96) of patients with type II fractures,and 93 (ranged, 83 to 96) of patients with type II fractures.

CONCLUSIONTreatment of tibial intercondylar eminence fractures under arthroscopy through patellofemoral joint space has follow advantages: simple reduction and fixation, easy operation and good clinical outcome.