Postoperative Complications after Repair of Tibial Plateau Fractures

Choo, Kevin J. MD
Morshed, Saam MD, PhD, MPH

¹Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
²Orthopaedic Trauma Institute at San Francisco General Hospital, San Francisco, California

Address for correspondence Saam Morshed, MD, PhD, MPH, Orthopaedic Trauma Institute, 2550 23rd Street, Building 9, 2nd Floor, San Francisco, CA 94110, [email protected]

received October, 29, 2013

accepted after revision November, 01, 2013

published online December, 16, 2013

Journal of Knee Surgery 27(1):p 11-20, February 2014. | DOI: 10.1055/s-0033-1363517

Abstract

Tibial plateau fractures are common orthopedic injuries and represent a spectrum of injury severity defined by the fracture morphology and the associated soft tissue injury. The management of tibial plateau fractures is challenging, and patients are at risk for adverse outcomes including infection, malunion, nonunion, and stiffness. Accurate diagnosis and early management can mitigate the impact of these complications. When complications do occur, a principle-based approach outlined in this review can minimize the burden to patients in their return to function.