Functional outcome after tibial plateau fracture osteosynthesis: a mean follow-up of 6 years.

Background: Tibial plateau fractures often require surgical treatment. Functional outcome depends mainly on the range of knee motion, joint stability, and pain. Only a few studies evaluate the functional outcome of a tibial plateau fracture after operation. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the results and functional outcome of surgically treated (ORIF) tibial plateau fractures.

Methods: Between January 2000 and December 2010 all consecutive patients undergoing osteosynthesis of a tibial plateau fracture were included if they were discharged alive and completed the questionnaire. The primary outcome measures were functional outcome ("Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Score" (KOOS) questionnaire) and Health-related quality of life (HrQoL) using the EuroQol-6D (EQ-6D) questionnaire at the end of the study follow-up period (May 2013).

Results: Eighty-two patients were included in the functional outcome and HrQoL analysis. The functional outcome results were concluded as "Fair" for the overall cohort within the sections Symptoms/Pain/Self-care. A significant difference was seen in the Sport/Recreation section (functional outcome: "Poor"). Dividing our cohort in a low-energy and a high-energy-trauma group, significant lower functional outcome score was seen in the KOOS section Pain for the high-energy-trauma patients. The HrQoL of the total study-population was worse in comparison to an age-matched general Dutch population on the EQ-us (difference of 0.15). This decrease in HrQoL was seen in all dimensions of the EuroQol questionnaire.

Conclusions: Six years after discharge from hospital, patients still alive had a "Fair" functional knee outcome. However, HrQoL was lower in comparison to the general Dutch population.