Treatment of posterolateral tibial plateau fractures: a narrative review and therapeutic strategy

The posterolateral tibial plateau is crucial for maintaining knee stability during flexion, and fractures in this area often involve ligament and meniscus injuries, necessitating effective management. However, treating posterolateral tibial plateau fractures (PLF) poses significant challenges due to the complex anatomy. Therefore, this review aims to explore contemporary concepts of PLF, from identification to fixation, and proposes a comprehensive treatment strategy. In this article, the authors detail the injury mechanisms, fracture morphology, PLF classification systems, surgical approaches, and techniques for open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) as well as arthroscopic-assisted internal fixation (ARIF). The findings indicate that PLF is typically caused by flexion-valgus forces, resulting in depression or split-depression patterns. For isolated PLF, the supra-fibular head approach is often preferable, whereas posterior approaches are more suitable for combined fractures. Additionally, innovative plates, particularly the horizontal belt plate, have shown satisfactory outcomes in treating PLF. Currently, the 'bicondylar four-quadrant' concept is widely used for assessing and managing the tibial plateau fractures involving PLF, forming the cornerstone of the comprehensive treatment strategy. Despite challenges in surgical exposure and implant placement, ORIF remains the mainstream treatment for PLF, benefiting significantly from the supra-fibular head approach and the horizontal belt plate. Furthermore, ARIF has proven effective by providing enhanced visualization and surgical precision in managing PLF, emerging as a promising technique.