What is schatzker 6 tibial plateau fracture?

Schatzker type V and VI tibial fractures are complex injuries, usually treated with open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) using dual plates or ring fixators. ORIF has the advantage of not requiring pin tract care, but has a higher infection rate, especially in open fractures.

How do you describe a tibial plateau fracture?

What is a Tibial Plateau Fracture? A tibial plateau fracture is a break of the larger lower leg bone below the knee that breaks into the knee joint itself. It is rare to only just break the bone. This is an injury that can involve the bone, meniscus, ligaments, muscles, tendons and skin around the knee.

What is a Unicondylar tibial plateau fracture?

This is a high-energy fracture pattern that tends to occur in a relatively younger population. 1. The lateral femoral condyle is again split with a wedge displaced distally and inferiorly in a Schatzker II, but in this pattern, there is depression or comminution of the remaining lateral tibial plateau articular surface …

What is a depressed tibial fracture?

In a medial tibial plateau fracture, a split or depressed component occurs, which is usually the result of a high energy injury and involves a strong force loading at the knee. Occurring in 10% of all tibial plateau fractures, this type has a high risk of damage to the the popliteal artery and peroneal nerve.

What is a schatzker 4 tibial plateau fracture?

A Schatzker type IV fracture is a medial tibial plateau fracture with a split or depressed compo- nent (Fig 7). The mechanism of injury involves varus force with axial loading at the knee (3,4).

What is the treatment for a tibial plateau fracture?

Tibial Plateau Fracture Care

For fractures that have not shifted, surgery may not be needed. The most common non-surgical treatment is a short leg, non-weightbearing cast or a hinged knee brace, combined with physical therapy and rest. Fractures that have shifted require surgery.

What is schatzker classification?

The Schatzker classification divides tibial plateau fractures into six types: lateral plateau fracture without depression (type I), lateral plateau fracture with depression (type II), compression fracture of the lateral (type IIIA) or central (type IIIB) plateau, medial plateau fracture (type IV), bicondylar plateau …

How is a tibial stress fracture diagnosed?

An MRI is considered the best way to diagnose stress fractures. It can visualize lower grade stress injuries (stress reactions) before an X-ray shows changes. This type of test is also better able to distinguish between stress fractures and soft tissue injuries.

What does a tibial plateau stress fracture feel like?

Symptoms are very similar to ‘shin splints’ with gradual onset pain on the inside of the shin. Individuals suffering from a tibial stress fracture typically feel an aching or burning (localized) pain somewhere along the bone. Swelling may be present at the fracture site.

Why is a tibial plateau fracture so painful?

Tibial plateau fractures injure the joint surface cartilage. The injured knee joint can develop arthritis. The symptoms include pain with use, stiffness, swelling, and inability to tolerate exercise, stairs, or running.

Can you walk on a fractured tibial plateau?

Yes you may be able to walk with a tibial plateau fracture, but it is not recommended. The size of the tibial plateau fracture can be hairline or it can be complicated with at multiple broken pieces of bone which have shifted. The worse the fracture the more pain you will have and less weight you can put on the leg.

What does tibial plateau mean in medical terms?

noun. : the smooth bony surface of either the lateral condyle or the medial condyle of the tibia that articulates with the corresponding condylar surface of the femur.

What is the average recovery time for a tibial plateau fracture?

Non-displaced tibial plateau fractures take up to 3-4 months without surgery to heal. When surgery is required these cases take around 4 months to heal.

When does a tibial plateau fracture require surgery?

Tibial Plateau Fracture Surgery is required when the bone breaks into two or more fragments and surgery is normally needed. This fracture involves the proximal (upper) portion of the tibia which extends through the articular surface (into the knee joint).

Should I wear a knee brace after tibial plateau fracture?

Symptoms post tibial plateau fracture surgery

After your surgery you will be required to wear a cast or knee brace for as long as it is necessary until there has been sufficient healing of the fracture. Your leg will be maintained in extension to ensure healing of the surgical incision.

Can you fully recover from a tibia fracture?

Recovery time for a tibia fracture typically takes 4-6 months to heal completely. If the fracture is open or comminuted, healing time may take longer. Your doctor will often prescribe medications for pain-relief for a short period of time after the injury or surgery.

Can I bend my knee after tibial plateau fracture?

You can walk and bend your knee as much as tolerated. Use your crutches as needed for the first week.

What is the fastest way to heal a broken tibia?

A study looking at 166 surgically treated tibia fractures discovered that early weight-bearing exercise was linked with faster healing – even in participants who had fractures that weren’t healing properly.

Can a tibia fracture heal in 8 weeks?

A snapped tibia or fibula is going to take some time to fully recover. You’ll need to let your bones to start mending long enough before being training. Healing typically takes six to eight weeks and for those recovering from surgery it may be 12 weeks before you may begin rehabilitation.

Is a fractured tibia serious?

Fractures of the tibia or shinbone are common and can be caused by many types of situations. They can occur anywhere along the bone and include many variations in fracture type. Fractures can be minor and take a short time to heal or more serious and require extensive surgery and healing times.