Fracture of tibia

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Proximal tibial fracture Mechanism of injury : - • Due to valgus or varus force with axial loading Causes : - • 52% - due to bumper injuries• 17% - due to fall from heights.• 31 % - miscellaneous causes Types :- 1. Articular (Hohl and Moore`s classification ) Plateau fracture fracture dislocation 2. Nonarticular

Hohl & Moore’s classification• Fracture dislocations

1. Split fracture 2. Entire condyle fracture3. Rim avulsion fracture ( Involves lateral condyle, associated with capsular tears and vascular injuries )4. Rim compression type (Unstable associated with avulsion of cruciates)5. Four part fracture (Unstable with Collateral avulsed And neurovascular injuries)

Plateau fracture

Minimally displaced Local compression split compression

Total condylar depression Bicondylar fracture

Schatzker classification I: Lateral split

II: Lateral split with depression III: Pure lateral depression; no splitting IV: Medial tibial plateau split or split depression type fracture V: Split fractures of both medial and lateral tibial plateaus VI: Split extends to metadiaphysis, separating metaphysis from diaphysis

- Types I to III are low-energy injuries. - Types IV to VI are high-energy injuries. - Type I usually occurs in younger individuals and is

associated with medial collateral ligament injuries - Type III usually occurs in older individuals

Schatzker 1:

Split Fracture of the lateral side.

Schatzker 2:

Lateral split with depression

Schatzker 3:

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Pure lateral depression; no splitting

Schatzker 4

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Medial tibial plateau split or split depression type fracture

Schatzker 5:

Split fractures of both medial and lateral tibial plateaus

Schatzker 6

Split extends to metadiaphysis, separating metaphysis from diaphysis

Clinical features

• Pain • Swelling • Deformity • Haemarthrosis • Decrease movement of knee• Instability in valgus or varus

Investigations

Routine : - • AP and lateral view (to demonstrate

majority of tibial condyle fractures )• Oblique view ( to localise the fracture)• CT scan (study the depth of depression )

Schatzker I:• Definition:. Lateral split• Etiology: Often due to valgus

stress. Occurs in younger patients with stronger bones, which are resistant to depression. Often due to a bumper injury.

• Common associated injuries: Lateral meniscal tear. The lateral meniscus may also become entrapped in the fracture and require arthroscopy.

• Treatment: Typically, lateral fixation.

Schatzker II• Most common tibial plateau fracture. • Definition: Lateral split with

depression. • Etiology: Often due to valgus or axial

stress. Occurs in older patients with osteoporosis with bones that do not resist depression.

• Common associated injuries: Lateral meniscus, medial meniscus, and medial collateral ligament.

• Treatment: Typically, lateral fixation. The depressed fragments are elevated and supported with bone graft.

Schatzker III:• Definition: Pure lateral depression; no

splitting• Etiology: Older patients with

osteoporosis. Often just due to a fall. • Common associated injuries: If the

depressed fragments are lateral and posterior, it is associated with joint instability.

• Treatment: If there is instability, the fractured fragments are elevated and supported with bone graft and lateral internal fixation.

Schatzker IV:

• Definition: Medial tibial plateau fracture that may be a split or split depression type fracture.

• Etiology: Varus stress. Often severe trauma.

• Common associated injuries: Associated with avulsion of the intercondylar eminence, which may indicate anterior cruciate ligament injury. Lateral collateral ligament injury. Peroneal nerve injury. Popliteal artery injury.

• Treatment: Medial plate and screws.

Schatzker V:

• Definition: Split medial and lateral tibial plateau (Bicondylar). Metaphysis is still in continuity with the diaphysis.

• Etiology: Often pure axial stress with severe trauma.

• Common associated injuries: Neurovascular, ACL, and meniscal injuries.

• Treatment: Typically, medial and lateral internal fixation.

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Schatzker VI:• Definition: Metaphyseal

fracture that separates the articular surface from the diaphysis.

• Etiology: High-energy trauma. • Common associated

injuries: Neurovascular injury and compartment syndrome. Also meniscal, ACL, and collateral ligament injuries.

• Treatment: Typically medial and lateral internal fixation

Treatment In plateau fracture Undisplaced fractures : - above knee , POP cast

with 5 degree flexion or cast bracing Displaced fractures : - closed reduction , with or

without skeletal tractionand a long leg cast In depressed fractures : - • For less than 8 mm depression (above knee casts ) • For more than 8 mm with a large splint fragment,

skeletal traction • For more than 8 mm with a smaller splint fragment

(ORIF with bone grafting after elevation of the depression )

Cont..

In splint fracture:- • ORIF • Skeletal traction ( comminuted fractures )

COMPLICATIONS• Knee stiffness• Infection• Compartment syndrome• Malunion or nonunion• Posttraumatic osteoarthritis • Peroneal nerve injury• Popliteal artery laceration.• Avascular necrosis

Malunion or nonunion: This is most common in Schatzker VI fractures at the metaphyseal-diaphyseal junction, related to comminution, unstable fixation, implant failure, or infection.Posttraumatic osteoarthritis: This may result from residual articular incongruity, chondral damage at the time of injury, or malalignment of the mechanical axis.Peroneal nerve injury: This is most common with trauma to the lateral aspect of the leg where the peroneal nerve courses in proximity to the fibular head and lateral tibial plateau.Popliteal artery laceration.Avascular necrosis of small articular fragments: This may result in loose bodies within the knee.

Distal tibia fractures

PILON FRACTURES ( TIBIAL PLAFOND FRACTURES ) - Due to axial loading forces following the

RTA or fall from height - males are more commonly affected than

females - mean age is 35 to 40 years

Classification

• Type 1 : - undisplaced cleavage fracture of the joint and are usually low energy injuries in which the fracture fragments are nearly aligned

• Type 2 : - displaced but minimally comminuted fractures and are usually moderate energy injuries

• Type 3 : - highly comminuted and displaced fractures and are usually high energy injuries

Type 1 : - undisplaced cleavage fracture of the joint and are

usually low energy injuries in which the fracture fragments are

nearly aligned

Type 2 : - displaced but minimally comminuted fractures

and are usually moderate energy injuries

Type 3 : - highly comminuted and displaced fractures and

are usually high energy injuries

Clinical features

• Pain • Swelling • Deformity • Inability to bear weight • Loss of sensation

Findings

• Look for peripheral pulses and the sensation in the foot

• look for deformity and swelling • Look for local bruising , fracture blisters and if

there is a tense calf muscles (indicates compartmental syndrome )

• Investigations • X – rays AP , lateral and ankle mortise view• CT scan (nature and extent of the injury )

Treatment

Minimally displaced fractures :- treated with a plaster cast on external

fixator Displaced fractures : - open reduction and internal fixation

with plate and screws

Complications include

. infection• mal-union or union of the fracture in a

unacceptable position• non-union that is failure of the fracture to

unite• arthritis of the ankle joint