Treatment of tibial plateau fractures involving the posterolateral column using the extended anterolateral approach

To summarize the surgical technique and clinical effects of the extended anterolateral approach for the treatment of Schatzker type II and Schatzker type V/VI involving the posterolateral column tibial plateau. From January 2015 through December 2018, 28 patients with tibial plateau fractures involving the posterolateral column were included in the study. Among them, 16 patients were Schatzker type II treated using an extended anterolateral approach with lateral tibial locking compression plate fixation. Twelve patients were Schatzker type V or VI treated using an extended anterolateral combined with a medial approach using lateral tibial locking compression plate plus medial locking compression plate fixation. All cases were followed up for 15 to 31 months, with an average follow-up of 22.5 +/- 3.7 months. During the follow-up, the tibial plateau angle (TPA), lateral posterior angle (PA) and Rasmussen radiological criteria were used to evaluate the effect of fracture reduction and fixation; the Hospital for Special Knee Surgery score and the range of motion were used to evaluate knee function. Additionally, the Lachman and knee Valgus (Varus) stress tests were used to evaluate anteroposterior and lateral stability of the knee. All fractures healed. At the 12-month follow-up, the Schatzker type II group revealed a mean TPA of 86.38 +/- 3.92 degrees, a mean PA of 7.43 +/- 2.68 degrees, and a mean Rasmussen radiological score of 16.00 +/- 2.06 points. The Schatzker type V/VI group showed a mean TPA of 84.91 +/- 3.51 degrees, a mean PA of 9.68 +/- 4.01 degrees, and a mean Rasmussen radiological score of 15.33 +/- 2.99 points. During the 1-year follow-up, when the postoperative PA was re-measured, the TPA and Rasmussen score of the 2 groups did not change significantly (P > .05). At the last follow-up, the Schatzker type II group showed a knee flexion angle of 110 degrees to 135 degrees and a mean HHS score of 88.37 +/- 10.01 points. The Schatzker type V/VI group revealed a knee flexion angle of 100 degrees to 130 degrees and a mean HHS score of 82.17 +/- 10.76 points. Additionally, up to the last follow-up, the Lachman and knee Valgus (Varus) stress test results of the 2 groups were negative. No complications were found. The extended anterolateral approach is a good choice to treat tibial plateau fractures involving the posterolateral column.