Novel Bone Grafting Technique for Tibial Plateau Fractures

Abstract

Background and Study Aims

Tibial plateau fractures with articular depression are difficult to treat. The purpose of this paper is to present a novel technique for the effective and efficient use of crushed cancellous allograft for management of depressed tibial plateau fractures.

Patients and Methods

A retrospective, single-surgeon study of sixteen cases of depressed tibial plateau fractures augmented with cancellous allograft via the following technique was conducted. The technique involved utilization of multiple 3 mL syringes for introduction of allograft into the identified tibial metaphyseal defects followed by bone tamping to create a packed bed of structural allograft. Patients were included only if presenting with traumatic, closed tibial plateau fractures who underwent indicated open reduction and internal fixation with the noted technique with at least 12 months of radiographic follow-up.

Results

All sixteen cases went on to union as determined by radiographic evaluation with minimal subsidence of the articular surface.

Conclusion

The described technique provides an effective, efficient, and novel method of filling the metaphyseal defect created after restoring articular depression in tibial plateau fractures.