Arthroscopic tri-pulley Technology reduction and internal fixation of pediatric Tibial Eminence fracture: a retrospective analysis.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Fixing a tibial eminence fracture with a tri-pulley is a new technique. The purpose of this study was to present the early clinical outcome of arthroscopic tri-pulley suture fixation for tibial eminence fractures in children.

METHODS:

Twenty-one pediatric patients with type II or type III anterior tibial eminence fractures were included in this retrospective study. All Patients underwent surgical fixation by tri-pulley technology and were followed up for at least 24 months. They were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively by physical, X-ray, and computed tomography (CT) examination and subjectively with the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC), and Lysholm questionnaires.

RESULTS:

The patients included 12 males and 9 females; mean age, 12.5 years (range, 8 ~ 16 years). They were followed-up for a median of 27 months (range, 24 ~ 39 months). We did not find post-operative instability in any of the patients by physical examination. The KT-2000 difference of both knees decreased from 9.3 ± 1.2 mm preoperatively to 2.6 ± 0.8 mm 24 months postoperatively (P < 0.001); the IKDC subjective knee evaluation score improved from 43.1 ± 13.2 preoperatively to 83.8 ± 6.3 postoperatively (P < 0.001); and Lysholm improved from 48.3 ± 6.21 to 87.1 ± 9.8 (P < 0.001). No unhealed fractures or epiphyseal damage were reported in the postoperative X-ray and CT.

CONCLUSIONS:

Arthroscopic tri-pulley fixation technology may provide a suitable technique for repair of tibial eminence fractures in skeletally immature patients.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:

Case series; Level of evidence IV.

• Authors: Liang Zhang, Li Zhang, Jiang Zheng, Bo Ren, Xin Kang, Xian Zhang, Xiaoqian Dang
• Journal: BMC musculoskeletal disorders (BMC Musculoskelet Disord) Vol. 21 Issue 1 Pg. 408 (Jun 29 2020) ISSN: 1471-2474 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 32600299 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article)

Topics

• Adolescent
• Anterior Cruciate Ligament (surgery)
• Arthroscopy (methods)
• Bone Development
• Child
• Epiphyses (surgery)
• Female
• Fracture Fixation, Internal (adverse effects, methods)
• Humans
• Knee Joint (surgery)
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• Male
• Radiography
• Retrospective Studies
• Suture Techniques (adverse effects)
• Tibia (surgery)
• Tibial Fractures (surgery)
• Tomography, X-Ray Computed