OBJECTIVE: To review and evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of minimally invasive treatment techniques for tibial plateau fractures (TPFs), as well as the research progress and limitations. METHODS: The relevant domestic and international research literature on the minimally invasive treatment of TPFs in recent years was reviewed. The advantages, disadvantages, and clinical efficacy of various technologies were summarized and analyzed, and an outlook on future development trends was provided. RESULTS: Surgery remains the primary method for treating displaced TPFs. Although traditional open reduction and internal fixation has advantages such as direct reduction and simplicity of procedure, it has gradually fallen out of favor with clinical orthopedic doctors due to extensive soft tissue removal, excessive bleeding, tissue adhesion, and postoperative complications such as skin infection, fracture nonunion, and joint dysfunction. As medical technology continues to develop, minimally invasive surgery and precise diagnosis and treatment are gradually being introduced to orthopedic trauma. Guided by concepts such as "minimally invasive treatment", "homeopathic repositioning of fractures", and "internal compression fixation", many traction reduction devices, internal fixation devices, minimally invasive reduction techniques, and computer-aided navigation technologies have been widely used in the clinical treatment of TPFs. This has greatly helped to overcome the challenges of intraoperative reduction, secondary reduction loss, and postoperative functional impairment and effectively promoting the adoption of minimally invasive treatment techniques in the clinical treatment of TPFs. CONCLUSION Minimally invasive treatment techniques have made significant progress in the clinical treatment of TPFs, particularly with regard to the reduction, and have demonstrated unique advantages. While relevant research results have received international recognition, there is still a need for orthopedic scholars to conduct real-world research to further explore the underlying principles and mechanisms of action.
Humans ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures/instrumentation* ; Tibial Fractures/surgery* ; Fracture Fixation, Internal/instrumentation* ; Tibial Plateau Fractures

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of minimally invasive treatment for bilateral tibial plateau fractures using the double reverse traction reducer. METHODS: The clinical data of 4 patients with bilateral tibial plateau fractures who met the selection criteria and treated between January 2016 and April 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. The cohort included 3 males and 1 female, aged 30-65 years (mean, 52.5 years). Injury mechanisms comprised traffic accidents (2 cases) and falls (2 cases). According to the Schatzker classification, 2 limbs were type Ⅱ and 6 were type Ⅵ. The time from injury to surgery ranged from 5 to 9 days (mean, 7 days). All patients underwent minimally invasive reduction using the double reverse traction reducer. Surgical duration, intraoperative blood loss, and hospitalization time were recorded. Functional outcomes were assessed at last follow-up using the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) knee score and range of motion (ROM), while fracture reduction quality was evaluated using the Rasmussen radiological score. RESULTS: All 4 patients successfully completed the procedure without conversion to open reduction. The total mean operation time was 80.25 minutes (range, 73-86 minutes), with a mean total intraoperative blood loss of 132.5 mL (range, 100-150 mL). The mean hospitalization time was 13.5 days (range, 11-16 days). All incisions healed primarily without neurovascular complications. X-ray film at 1 day after operation confirmed satisfactory reduction and articular surface alignment. Follow-up time ranged from 12 to 26 months (mean, 17.0 months). Fractures achieved clinical union at an average of 13 weeks (range, 12-16 weeks). No complication, such as deep vein thrombosis, joint stiffness, post-traumatic arthritis, or implant failure, was observed. At last follow-up, the mean HSS score was 92.9 (range, 90-97), mean knee ROM was 128.1° (range, 115°-135°), and mean Rasmussen radiological score was 16.4 (range, 15-19), with 2 limbs rated as excellent and 6 as good. CONCLUSION The double reverse traction reducer facilitates minimally invasive treatment of bilateral tibial plateau fractures with advantages including minimal trauma, shorter surgical duration, precise reduction, and fewer complications, effectively promoting fracture healing and functional recovery of the knee joint.
Humans ; Tibial Fractures/diagnostic imaging* ; Middle Aged ; Male ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures/instrumentation* ; Female ; Adult ; Retrospective Studies ; Aged ; Traction/methods* ; Treatment Outcome ; Fracture Fixation, Internal/instrumentation* ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Operative Time ; Tibial Plateau Fractures

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the biomechanical characteristics of Schatzker type Ⅱ tibial plateau fracture fixed by different bone grafting methods and internal fixations. METHODS: Twenty-four embalmed specimens of adult knee joint were selected to make Schatzker type Ⅱ tibial plateau fracture models, which were randomly divided into 8 groups (groups A1-D1 and groups A2-D2, n=3). After all the fracture models were restored, non-structural iliac crest bone grafts were implanted in group A1-D1, and structural iliac crest bone grafts in groups A2-D2. Following bone grafting, group A was fixed with a lateral golf locking plate, group B was fixed with lateral golf locking plate combined compression bolt, group C was fixed with lateral tibial "L"-shaped locking plate, and group D was fixed with lateral tibial "L"-shaped locking plate combined compression bolt. Compression and cyclic loading tests were performed on a biomechanical testing machine. A distal femur specimen or a 4-cm-diameter homemade bone cement ball were used as a pressure application mould for each group of models. The specimens were loaded with local compression at a rate of 10 N/s and the mechanical loads were recorded when the vertical displacement of the split bone block reached 2 mm. Then, compressive and cyclic loading tests were conducted on the fixed models of each group. The specimens were compression loaded to 100, 400, 700, and 1 000 N at a speed of 10 N/s to record the vertical displacement of the split bone block. The specimens were also subjected to cyclic loading at 5 Hz and 10 N/s within the ranges 100-300, 100-500, 100-700, and 100-1 000 N to record the vertical displacement of the split bone block at the end of the entire cyclic loading test. The specimens were subjected to cyclic loading tests and the vertical displacement of the split bone block was recorded at the end of the test. RESULTS: When the vertical displacement of the collapsed bone block reached 2 mm, the mechanical load of groups A2-D2 was significantly greater than that of groups A1-D1 ( P<0.05). The mechanical load of groups B and D was significantly greater than that of group A under the two bone grafting methods ( P<0.05); the local mechanical load of group D was significantly greater than that of groups B and C under the structural iliac crest bone grafts ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference ( P>0.05) in the vertical displacement of the split bone blocks between the two bone graft methods when the compressive load was 100, 400, 700 N and the cyclic load was 100-300, 100-500, 100-700 N in groups A-D. However, the vertical displacement of bone block in groups A1-D1 was significantly greater than that in groups A2-D2 ( P<0.05) when the compressive loading was 1 000 N and the cyclic load was 100-1 000 N. The vertical displacement of bone block in group B was significantly smaller than that in group A, and that in group D was significantly smaller than that in group C under the same way of bone graft ( P<0.05). CONCLUSION Compared with non-structural iliac crest bone grafts implantation, structural iliac crest bone grafts is more effective in preventing secondary collapse of Schatzker type Ⅱ tibial plateau fracture, and locking plate combined with compression bolt fixation can provide better articular surface support and resistance to axial compression, and the lateral tibial "L"-shaped locking plate can better highlight its advantages of "raft" fixation and show better mechanical stability.
Humans ; Bone Transplantation/methods* ; Tibial Fractures/physiopathology* ; Fracture Fixation, Internal/instrumentation* ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Bone Plates ; Ilium/transplantation* ; Adult ; Tibia/surgery* ; Bone Cements ; Knee Joint/surgery* ; Male ; Tibial Plateau Fractures

Objective:To compare postoperative inflammatory markers and surgical outcomes between open reduction and internal fixation versus double reverse traction closed reduction and percutaneous internal fixation for tibial plateau fractures.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted of the data of 229 patients with tibial plateau fracture who had been admitted to Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University from January 2023 to December 2023. There were 155 males and 74 females with an age of (48.7±10.9) years. According to the surgical methods, the patients were divided into 2 groups. A conventional group of 87 cases were treated by open reduction and internal fixation while a minimally invasive group of 142 cases treated with double reverse traction closed reduction and percutaneous internal fixation. The 2 groups were compared in terms of hematological indexes [white blood cell count (WBC), neutrophil count (NEUT), lymphocyte count (LYM), monocyte count (Mono), platelet count (PLT), and albumin (ALB)] and composite inflammatory indexes [neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), systemic immune-inflammatory index (SII), systemic inflammatory response index (SIRI)] before operation and on the first day after operation, intraoperative blood loss, operation time, fracture healing time, Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) knee score and incidence of thrombosis.Results:There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics or treatment variables between the 2 groups, indicating comparability ( P > 0.05). All the 229 patients were followed up for (16.5±2.8) months. In each group, comparisons between preoperation and postoperation showed that LYM and ALB significantly decreased while WBC, NEUT, Mono, PLT, NLR, PLR, SII and SIRI significantly increased on the first day after operation ( P < 0.05). Preoperatively, there were no significant differences between the 2 groups in terms of hematological or composite inflammatory indexes ( P > 0.05). On the first day after operation, there was no significant difference in WBC, NEUT, LYM, ALB or NLR between the 2 groups ( P > 0.05), but Mono, PLT, PLR, SII and SIRI in the minimally invasive group were significantly lower than those in the conventional group ( P < 0.05). The intraoperative blood loss, operation time, fracture healing time, HSS knee score and incidence of thrombosis in the minimally invasive group were significantly better than those in the conventional group ( P < 0.05). Conclusion:In the treatment of tibial plateau fractures, compared with conventional open reduction and internal fixation, double reverse traction closed reduction and percutaneous internal fixation shows obvious advantages in reducing inflammatory indicators and leads to better surgical outcomes.

Objective:To compare postoperative inflammatory markers and surgical outcomes between open reduction and internal fixation versus double reverse traction closed reduction and percutaneous internal fixation for tibial plateau fractures.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted of the data of 229 patients with tibial plateau fracture who had been admitted to Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University from January 2023 to December 2023. There were 155 males and 74 females with an age of (48.7±10.9) years. According to the surgical methods, the patients were divided into 2 groups. A conventional group of 87 cases were treated by open reduction and internal fixation while a minimally invasive group of 142 cases treated with double reverse traction closed reduction and percutaneous internal fixation. The 2 groups were compared in terms of hematological indexes [white blood cell count (WBC), neutrophil count (NEUT), lymphocyte count (LYM), monocyte count (Mono), platelet count (PLT), and albumin (ALB)] and composite inflammatory indexes [neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), systemic immune-inflammatory index (SII), systemic inflammatory response index (SIRI)] before operation and on the first day after operation, intraoperative blood loss, operation time, fracture healing time, Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) knee score and incidence of thrombosis.Results:There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics or treatment variables between the 2 groups, indicating comparability ( P > 0.05). All the 229 patients were followed up for (16.5±2.8) months. In each group, comparisons between preoperation and postoperation showed that LYM and ALB significantly decreased while WBC, NEUT, Mono, PLT, NLR, PLR, SII and SIRI significantly increased on the first day after operation ( P < 0.05). Preoperatively, there were no significant differences between the 2 groups in terms of hematological or composite inflammatory indexes ( P > 0.05). On the first day after operation, there was no significant difference in WBC, NEUT, LYM, ALB or NLR between the 2 groups ( P > 0.05), but Mono, PLT, PLR, SII and SIRI in the minimally invasive group were significantly lower than those in the conventional group ( P < 0.05). The intraoperative blood loss, operation time, fracture healing time, HSS knee score and incidence of thrombosis in the minimally invasive group were significantly better than those in the conventional group ( P < 0.05). Conclusion:In the treatment of tibial plateau fractures, compared with conventional open reduction and internal fixation, double reverse traction closed reduction and percutaneous internal fixation shows obvious advantages in reducing inflammatory indicators and leads to better surgical outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: To review the biomechanical research progress of internal fixation of tibial plateau fracture in recent years and provide a reference for the selection of internal fixation in clinic. METHODS: The literature related to the biomechanical research of internal fixation of tibial plateau fracture at home and abroad was extensively reviewed, and the biomechanical characteristics of the internal fixation mode and position as well as the biomechanical characteristics of different internal fixators, such as screws, plates, and intramedullary nails were summarized and analyzed. RESULTS: Tibial plateau fracture is one of the common types of knee fractures. The conventional surgical treatment for tibial plateau fracture is open or closed reduction and internal fixation, which requires anatomical reduction and strong fixation. Anatomical reduction can restore the normal shape of the knee joint; strong fixation provides good biomechanical stability, so that the patient can have early functional exercise, restore knee mobility as early as possible, and avoid knee stiffness. Different internal fixators have their own biomechanical strengths and characteristics. The screw fixation has the advantage of being minimally invasive, but the fixation strength is limited, and it is mostly applied to Schatzker typeⅠfracture. For Schatzker Ⅰ-Ⅳ fracture, unilateral plate fixation can be used; for Schatzker Ⅴand Ⅵ fracture, bilateral plates fixation can be used to provide stronger fixation strength and avoid the stress concentration. The intramedullary nails fixation has the advantages of less trauma and less influence on the blood flow of the fracture end, but the fixation strength of the medial and lateral plateau is limited; so it is more suitable for tibial plateau fracture that involves only the metaphysis. Choosing the most appropriate internal fixation according to the patient's condition is still a major difficulty in the surgical treatment of tibial plateau fractures. CONCLUSION Each internal fixator has good fixation effect on tibial plateau fracture within the applicable range, and it is an important research direction to improve and innovate the existing internal fixator from various aspects, such as manufacturing process, material, and morphology.
Humans ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Bone Plates ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary ; Tibial Fractures/surgery* ; Tibial Plateau Fractures

Objective:To compare the efficacy of double reverse traction reduction combined with minimally invasive percutaneous plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) and traditional reduction combined with MIPO in treating distal femoral fractures in the elderly.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 78 elderly patients with distal femoral fractures admitted to Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University from January 2021 to June 2023, including 16 males and 62 females, aged 60-85 years [(74.5±7.1)years]. The bone mineral density T-score was (-2.1±0.9)SD. According to the Orthopedic Trauma Association (OTA) classification, the fractures were classified as type 33-A1 in 27 patients, type 33-A2 in 36, and type 33-A3 in 15. Forty-three patients underwent traditional reduction combined with MIPO (traditional reduction group), while 35 patients received double reverse traction reduction combined with MIPO (double reverse traction group). The two groups were compared in terms of operation time, intraoperative blood loss, number of intraoperative fluoroscopies, time to initial callus formation, radiographic healing time, range of motion of knee flexion and extension and Knee Society score (KSS) at 1 and 3 months postoperatively and at the last follow-up, and the incidence of postoperative complications.Results:All the patients were followed up for 6-18 months [(14.4±2.6)months]. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss and number of intraoperative fluoroscopies were (73.7±7.6)minutes, (112.4±32.3)ml, and (9.8±4.5)times in the double reverse traction group, which were significantly reduced compared with those in the traditional reduction group [(95.2±10.0)minutes, (139.7±49.5)ml, (15.2±3.9)times] in the traditional reduction group ( P<0.01). There was no significant difference in the time to initial callus formation between the two groups ( P>0.05). The radiographic healing time in the double reverse traction group was (25.9±5.1)weeks, shorter than (29.6±8.2)weeks in the traditional reduction group ( P<0.05). At 1 month postoperatively, range of motion of knee flexion and extension in the double reverse traction group was (96.4±5.0)°, greater than (93.9±3.7)° in the traditional reduction group ( P<0.05), and there was no significant difference between the two groups at 3 months postoperatively or at the last follow-up ( P>0.05). KSS scores at 1 and 3 months postoperatively and at the last follow-up showed no significant difference between the two groups ( P>0.05). No malunions occurred in the double reverse traction group, while 9.3% (4/43) in the traditional reduction group had malunion ( P>0.05). No nonunion or infection was observed in either group. Conclusion:Compared with traditional reduction combined with MIPO, double reverse traction reduction combined with MIPO for elderly distal femoral fractures can shorten operation time, reduce intraoperative blood loss and the number of fluoroscopies, promote fracture healing, and facilitate early recovery of knee joint function.

Objective:To compare the efficacy of double reverse traction reduction combined with minimally invasive percutaneous plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) and traditional reduction combined with MIPO in treating distal femoral fractures in the elderly.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 78 elderly patients with distal femoral fractures admitted to Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University from January 2021 to June 2023, including 16 males and 62 females, aged 60-85 years [(74.5±7.1)years]. The bone mineral density T-score was (-2.1±0.9)SD. According to the Orthopedic Trauma Association (OTA) classification, the fractures were classified as type 33-A1 in 27 patients, type 33-A2 in 36, and type 33-A3 in 15. Forty-three patients underwent traditional reduction combined with MIPO (traditional reduction group), while 35 patients received double reverse traction reduction combined with MIPO (double reverse traction group). The two groups were compared in terms of operation time, intraoperative blood loss, number of intraoperative fluoroscopies, time to initial callus formation, radiographic healing time, range of motion of knee flexion and extension and Knee Society score (KSS) at 1 and 3 months postoperatively and at the last follow-up, and the incidence of postoperative complications.Results:All the patients were followed up for 6-18 months [(14.4±2.6)months]. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss and number of intraoperative fluoroscopies were (73.7±7.6)minutes, (112.4±32.3)ml, and (9.8±4.5)times in the double reverse traction group, which were significantly reduced compared with those in the traditional reduction group [(95.2±10.0)minutes, (139.7±49.5)ml, (15.2±3.9)times] in the traditional reduction group ( P<0.01). There was no significant difference in the time to initial callus formation between the two groups ( P>0.05). The radiographic healing time in the double reverse traction group was (25.9±5.1)weeks, shorter than (29.6±8.2)weeks in the traditional reduction group ( P<0.05). At 1 month postoperatively, range of motion of knee flexion and extension in the double reverse traction group was (96.4±5.0)°, greater than (93.9±3.7)° in the traditional reduction group ( P<0.05), and there was no significant difference between the two groups at 3 months postoperatively or at the last follow-up ( P>0.05). KSS scores at 1 and 3 months postoperatively and at the last follow-up showed no significant difference between the two groups ( P>0.05). No malunions occurred in the double reverse traction group, while 9.3% (4/43) in the traditional reduction group had malunion ( P>0.05). No nonunion or infection was observed in either group. Conclusion:Compared with traditional reduction combined with MIPO, double reverse traction reduction combined with MIPO for elderly distal femoral fractures can shorten operation time, reduce intraoperative blood loss and the number of fluoroscopies, promote fracture healing, and facilitate early recovery of knee joint function.

Objective:To explore the role of arthroscopic exploration in the treatment of tibial plateau fractures with homeopathic double reverse traction reduction and internal fixation.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the data of 188 patients with tibial plateau fractures treated by homeopathic double reverse traction reduction assisted internal fixation and arthroscopic exploration at the Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University from January 2019 to December 2021. There were 129 males and 59 females, aged 46.7±11.8 years (range, 14-80 years); 115 cases on the left and 73 cases on the right. Schatzker classification of fractures: 81 cases of type II, 15 cases of type III, 23 cases of type IV, 29 cases of type V, and 40 cases of type VI. The time from injury to surgery was 1-14 days, with an average of 10±5 days. The surgery was performed with double reverse traction assisted reduction, locking bone plate and self-breaking compression bolt fixation. Then, arthroscopy was used to explore the quality of fracture reduction, meniscus and ligament damage, and the corresponding intra-articular lesions were treated, such as partial meniscus resection, complete meniscus resection, or suturing. The Rasmussen score was used to evaluate the quality of fracture reduction after surgery, and the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) knee joint score was used to evaluate the postoperative function of the knee joint.Results:All patients successfully completed fracture reduction, fixation, and arthroscopic exploration. The average surgical time was 95±21 min (range, 30-120 min); The average intraoperative bleeding volume was 120±58 ml (range, 50-300 ml). All patients were followed up for 10-24 months, with an average of 18±6.5 months. All patients' fractures achieved clinical healing after surgery, with a healing time of 2.5-6.0 months, with an average of 3±2.4 months. Among them, 165 patients (87.8%, 165/188) healed within 3 months after surgery, while the remaining 23 patients healed within 4-6 months after surgery. Arthroscopic exploration revealed that 188 patients had good fracture reduction and a flat articular surface. Among them, 97 cases (51.6%, 97/188) were complicated with meniscus injury, with longitudinal tear (29%, 28/97) being the most common, suture treatment was performed under arthroscopy; the remaining 69 patients underwent partial meniscectomy. All the patient's knee function recovered well at the last follow-up. 29 cases (15.4%, 29/188) were complicated with cruciate ligament injury, none of them underwent primary repair and were fixed with plaster or brace after operation. The Rasmussen score for the final follow-up after surgery was 16.8±2.4 points (range, 6-18 points), with 152 cases being excellent and 36 cases being good, with a 100% excellent and good rate. The HSS knee joint scores were 79.8±9.2 points, 85.1±10.1 points, and 94.9±7.6 points at 3, 6 months after surgery, and at the last follow-up, respectively, with statistically significant differences ( F=52.53, P<0.001). Superficial skin infection occurred in 2 cases after operation, which was cured by regular dressing change and anti-infection treatment with antibiotics. Deep vein thrombosis occurred in 7 cases within 1 week after operation, and low molecular weight heparin anticoagulation therapy was given. Conclusion:After using double reverse traction assisted reduction and internal fixation, arthroscopic examination can not only evaluate the quality of reduction for tibial plateau fractures, but also handle combined meniscus injuries and evaluate the condition of cruciate ligament injuries.

Objective:To investigate the associations of articular depression depth (ADD) and tibial plateau widening (TPW) by pre-operative CT measurement with incidence of lateral meniscal tear in patients with Schatzker type Ⅱ tibial plateau fracture.Methods:Included in this retrospective study were 131 patients who had been admitted to Emergency Center of Trauma, The Third Hospital Affiliated to Hebei Medical University from January 2016 to January 2020 for Schatzker type Ⅱtibial plateau fractures. They were 88 males and 51 females, aged from 18 to 60 years (average, 41.5 years), with 74 right and 57 left sides injured. All patients were treated with closed reduction and internal fixation assisted by bidirectional traction. Arthroscopy was used to detect the status of lateral meniscus immediately after closed reduction and internal fixation of the fracture fragments. Furthermore, patients were divided into 2 groups according to the integrity of lateral meniscus: meniscal tear group ( n=70) and tear-free group ( n=61). The 2 groups were compared in terms of age, gender, body mass index(BMI), injury side, time interval from injury to surgery, TPW and ADD. The receiver operating curve (ROC) was drafted to calculate the cut-off values of TPW and ADD in complication of lateral meniscal tear in patients with Schatzker type Ⅱ tibial plateau fracture. Results:The overall incidence of lateral meniscal tear in this cohort was 53.4% (70/131). There was no statistically significant difference in terms of age, gender, injury side, BMI or time interval from injury to surgery between the 2 groups ( P>0.05); TPW and ADD were significantly higher in the meniscal tear group than in the tear-free group ( P<0.05). To predict lateral meniscal tear in patients with Schatzker type Ⅱtibial plateau fracture, the area under ROC was 0.656 (95% CI: 0.562 to 0.750, P=0.002) for TPW and 0.709 (95% CI: 0.619 to 0.800, P<0.001) for ADD, respectively; the cut-off values of TPW and ADD were 4.3 mm and 6.1 mm. Conclusion:TPW and ADD may be effective predictors for prediction of lateral meniscal tear in patients with Schatzker type Ⅱ tibial plateau fracture.