Crush fractures of the lateral tibial table. Factors influencing the prognosis.

1. Sixty-eight crush fractures of the articular surface of the lateral tibial condyle have been analysed. 2. Follow-up examination at a minimum of three years after injury was carried out in all cases. 3. The only factors which appeared to influence the results were the extent of the original depression, and if this was severe, the degree of restoration obtained by the treatment. Prolonged plaster fixation was avoided. 4. At review, no patient complained of symptoms which were attributable to damage to ligaments or menisci and no patient had symptoms of late onset. 5. The results suggest that there is nothing to be gained by open reduction if the lateral condyle is depressed by less than 10 millimetres, as conservative treatment gives good results. If the depression is more severe, however, a good result can only be assured if the articular surface is successfully reconstituted, but this is sometimes difficult to achieve. It is not possible to reconstitute the surface by non-operative means.