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Outcome of complex fractures of the tibial plateau treated with a beam-loading ring fixation system

Old Church Hospital, Waterloo Road, Romford, Essex RM7 0BE, UK.

M. Burton, MCSP, BA (Hons), Senior Lecturer in Physiotherapy

Sheffield Hallam University, City Campus, Howard Street, Sheffield S1 1WB, UK.

M. Hashmi, MSc, FRCS, Clinical Fellow; and M. Saleh, MSc, FRCS, Professor and Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon

Northern General Hospital, Herries Road, Sheffield S5 7AU, UK.

Correspondence should be sent to Professor M. Saleh.

Fine-wire accepted as a minimally external fixation is invasive technique, which can provide better outcomes than traditional open methods in the management of complex fractures of the tibial plateau. Available fixators vary in their biomechanical stability, and we believe that a stable beam-loading system is essential for consistently good outcomes. We assessed, prospectively, the clinical, radiological and general health status of 20 of 21 consecutive patients with complex fractures of the tibial plateau who had been treated using a standard protocol, with percutaneous screw fixation and a neutralisation concept with a fine wire beam-loading fixator allowing early weight-bearing.

Bony union was achieved in all patients, with 85% having good or excellent results. Full weight-bearing started during the first six weeks in 60% of patients. The general health status assessment correlated well with the knee scores and reflected a satisfactory outcome.