Tibial Plateau Fractures

Background

The tibia bone generally takes on most of the weight of the leg that you walk on, approximately 60%. The plateau is found on the proximal portion of the tibia close to the joint.

Tibial Plateau Injury

Most of the fractures to this site occur during a car crash, the knee will impact something in the car at high velocity, this injury can also occur in athletes that take on large loads like basketball players. Many of these traumas can be related to a fall from a horse or possibly getting kicked in the knee. The issue with this fracture is there could be soft tissue damage or a possible meniscus tear.

Treatment

A fracture here generally only needs time to heal, surgery is not needed because as long as the patients stays off the leg then the bone will heal naturally. A fracture here will heal in about 8-12 weeks if surgery is not necessary. The knee will be braced and the patient will be in crutches to ensure that the patient is passive weight bearing.