Arthroscopic soft tissue findings associated with tibial plateau fractures

238 ABSTRACT Background: when a tibial plateau fracture (TPF) takes place, there is a high risk of injury to intra-articular soft tissue structures. Considerable attentiveness is called for in these cases to identify and diagnose these injuries. The aim of this study was to perform an epidemiological review and assess the frequency of soft tissue injuries associated with tibial plateau fractures (Schatzker I, II and III) identified through arthroscopy. The secondary purpose was to analyze the relationship between frequency of soft tissue injury and the fracture pattern. Patients and methods: from June 2008 to October 2018, 40 patients with a closed TPF Schatzker I, II or III treated with arthroscopically assisted reduction and internal fixation were retrospectively reviewed to assess the frequency of the associated soft tissue injuries. Results: the sample included 33 men and 7 women, with an average age of 43.2 years. They included 9 of type I (split), 28 of type II (split and depression) and 3 type III (depression) in the Schatzker classification. Of the 40 patients included, 31 had an associated soft tissue lesion detected through arthroscopy (77.5%). Meniscal tears were noted in 26 of the 40 patients (15 lateral and 11 medial meniscus injuries). The highest meniscal tear rate was seen in the type II TPF (type I: 15.3%; type II: 80.7%; type III: 4%). Five ACL ruptures were seen in the type II fractures. Meniscal tears were the most frequent soft tissue lesion. RESUMEN Hallazgos artroscópicos en partes blandas asociados a fracturas de la meseta tibial