ARTHROSCOPICALLY ASSISTED TREATMENT OF LATERAL TIBIAL PLATEAU FRACTURES IN SKIERS - USE OF A CANNULATED REDUCTION SYSTEM

A prospective study was performed on 16 patients with lateral tibial p lateau fractures. All injuries were associated with alpine or cross-co untry skiing. Included in the study were those patients with an articu lar surface depression of greater-than-or-equal-to 2 mm with radiograp hic findings consistent with the AO/ASIF classification of tibial plat eau fractures (41 B2.2/B3.1). A combined procedure was performed with arthroscopic visualization of the knee joint and utilization of a cann ulated plateau elevator. All fractures were reduced with this device w ith subsequent autogenous bone graft and, when indicated, transverse c ancellous lag screw fixation. Follow-up was 1-6.5 years for the 16 pat ients, with all but two reporting resumption of activity to preinjury levels.