Tibial plateau fractures

Fractures of the tibial plateaus are common injuries. Various classificatio n schemes have been used to describe these injuries, Although each system h as its own purpose, the simpler systems do not allow comparison with more c omplex divisions. The problem is compounded by the variable use of adjectiv es that describe these fractures. A comprehensive classification of tibial plateau fractures should group fractures that are similar in topography, mo rphology, and pathogenesis, requiring similar treatment, and having a simil ar prognosis. Fracture dislocations and standard tibial plateau fractures s hould be incorporated into a single classification to avoid the use of two complementary classifications, Any such classification should not be diffic ult to remember or to use. Keeping in mind these requirements, the authors devised a simple yet comprehensive classification, The authors studied 80 cases of tibial plateau fractures from January 1988 to September 1997, and used contemporary classifications of tibial plateau fractures as a database to formulate the new classification. A new fracture , subcondylar bicondylar with coronal split, has been classified for the fi rst time. An alphanumeric system has been developed that has made nomenclat ure easy to remember and use, An effort has been made to address the profou ndly confusing issue of variable adjectives that describe these injuries. A review of the literature shows that fractures in the authors' classificati on have been grouped according to similar pathomechanics, treatment, and fu nctional results.