In 31% of the patients, secondary osteoarthritis had developed but was well tolerated in most (64% of the patients).
Patients with a malalignment of more then 5 degrees developed a moderate to severe grade of osteoarthritis statistically significant more often (27% of the patients) compared to patients with an anatomic knee axis (9.2%; MWU, P = 0.02).
Age did not appear to have any influence on the results.
Conclusions
Long-term results after open reduction and internal fixation for tibial plateau fractures are excellent, independent of the patient's age.
In 31% of the patients, secondary osteoarthritis had developed but was well tolerated in most (64% of the patients).
Patients with a malalignment of more then 5 degrees developed a moderate to severe grade of osteoarthritis statistically significant more often (27% of the patients) compared to patients with an anatomic knee axis (9.2%; MWU, P = 0.02).
Age did not appear to have any influence on the results.
Conclusions
Long-term results after open reduction and internal fixation for tibial plateau fractures are excellent, independent of the patient's age.