Patellar height changes after treatment of tibia plateau fractures: A radiological analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the impact of tibial plateau fractures on patellar height and the factors affecting this impact.

METHODS: A total of 40 patients treated for plateau fractures between 2017-2021 were evaluated in this retrospective prognostic study. The patient group consisted of lateral radiographs of the operated knees, whereas the control group consisted of lateral radiographs of the healthy sides of the same patients. Insall-Salvati, Caton-Deschamps, Blackburne-Peel, and modified Insall-Salvati indices were measured for both groups. In addition, Schaztker and Luo classifications, as well as the demographic profiles of the patients, were analyzed.

RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of patellar height indices ( p >0.05). A significant relationship was found between the Insall-Salvati ( p =0.046) and Blackburne-Pell ( p =0.011) indices and Luo classification. Post hoc analyses revealed a significant relationship between the Insall-Salvati index and "One Column" fractures and between the Blackburne-Peel index and "Two Column" fractures.

CONCLUSION: Long-term functions of tibial plateau fractures should be evaluated not only with a painless range of motion but also with patellar height. It should be noted that the Luo classification, which evaluates the plateau 3-dimensionally, may be associated with changes in postoperative patellar height values.