[Treatment for depression fractures of posterolateral tibial plateau through superior fibular head approach].

Objective: To evaluate surgical method and clinical efficacy for the treatment of depression fractures of posterolateral tibial plateau through superior fibular head approach.

Methods: Eleven patients with depression fractures of posterolateral tibial plateau through superior fibular head approach were treated from October 2013 to December 2016, including 9 males and 2 females with an average age of 39.7 years old ranged from 25 to 60 years old. The time from injure to operation ranged from 4 to 10 days with an average of 6.5 days. All fractures were closed fracture. Incision healing, tibial plateau varus angles and posterior slope angle were measured through X-rays immediately after operation and latest follow-up. At final follow-up, HSS score of knee joint were used to evaluate clinical effects.

Results: Eleven patients were followed up ranged from 11 to 13 months ranged from 55 to 90 min. All incisions were healed at stage I. Fracture healing time ranged from 7 to 12 weeks. There were no significant differences of tibial plateau varus angles and posterior slope angles comparing between immediately opertaion and latest follow-up (<0.05). At the final follow up, HSS scores ranged from 80 to 93 points, 6 cases were excellent and 5 moderate.

Conclusions: Depression fractures of posterolateral tibial plateau through superior fibular head approach has advantages of simple operation, less invasive, benefit for recovery of knee joint function, and could receive clinical effects.