Objectives: Tibial plateau fractures are efficiently treated using arthroscopy when limited to one condyle. Operative technique and early results are now well documented. However, long term results have not been widely reported. The goal of this study was to evaluate clinical and radiological outcomes of arthroscopically treated tibial plateau fractures in the long term.
Methods: Fourteen out of thirty consecutive cases have been reviewed after more than 4 years post-op (4 to 8 years). The SF8 quality of life score and both IKS and Rasmussen knee function scores have been quoted. Radiological analysis looked at Resnick and Niwoyama osteoarthritis score.
Results: Functional knee scores at follow-up were 28.0 (Rasmussen) and 187.4 (IKS) in average. The average SF8 score was 4.64. The SF8 score did not correlated with Rasmussen and IKS scores, but with age. Radiological signs of osteoarthritis were noted in 50.0% of cases, with no relationships with the clinical status.
Conclusions: Comparisons with historical long-term studies regarding open reduction and internal fixation show similar outcomes. No specific secondary degenerative problem would alleviate the advantages of the arthroscopic management of tibial plateau fractures in the early post-operative period.