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Tibial plateau fracture

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Tibial plateau fracture

What is it?

A tibial plateau fracture involves a break in the shinbone at the knee joint

How is it caused?

This type of broken bone is often caused by a twisting injury, blow to the side of the knee or fall from a height. The broken bone may undisplaced or displaced. Displaced breaks often require surgery to prevent further deformity, malalignment and ongoing pain.

What are the symptoms?

As with any broken bone there will be pain, swelling and bruising. As the knee is a weight-bearing joint it may be difficult / extremely painful to weight bear.

Diagnosis

In addition to a history and clinical examination, diagnosis is made using XR and often a CT scan to further define the extent of the damage to the knee.

What is the treatment?

Undisplaced fractures: most undisplaced fractures can be immobilized in plaster for a few weeks or alternatively placed in a knee brace allowing range of motion. Some undisplaced fractures are inherently unstable and may require surgery to prevent displacement and deformity.

Displaced fractures: if there is significant displacement of the bones relative to each other, surgery may be required to insert plates and screws to stabilize the break

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