What does tibial plateau mean?

The tibial plateau is an important weight-bearing part of the body that connects the thighbone (femur) to the shinbone via ligaments. A fall from a height or a hit to the thigh can drive the femur into the shinbone, creating a compressive force.

When should you suspect a tibial plateau fracture?

Tibial plateau fractures should be suspected in patients presenting with knee pain, possible deformity, edema, and a suspected mechanism of injury or risk factors that predispose to this type of fracture.

How long after a tibial plateau fracture can you walk?

You will not be able to bear weight on your leg for weeks after breaking your bone. That means no walking on or pushing off of your broken leg. This is to keep the bones from moving as you heal. Depending on your injury, this will last 6 to 12 weeks.

Can you walk after a tibial plateau fracture?

After you break your tibial plateau it will be very painful, and you will most likely not be able to walk on it. You will likely need to go to an emergency room because of the pain.

What kind of injury is a tibial plateau fracture?

Tibial plateau fractures are complex injuries produced by high- or low-energy trauma. They principally affect young adults or the ‘third age’ population. These fractures usually have associated soft-tissue lesions that will affect their treatment.

What can be done about the medial tibial plateau?

Figure 4 shows an uncontained defect of the medial tibial plateau and deficiency of the posterior femoral condyles. Uncontained defects of the proximal medial tibia can be treated with wire mesh attached to the intact cortices with unicortical screws.

Where is the intercondylar eminence of a tibial plateau fracture?

The intercondylar eminence runs down the midline of the plateau, separating the medial and lateral condyles of the tibia. The two condyles form a flat, broad surface for articulation with medial and lateral condyles of the femur. Soft tissues of the knee can also be effected in tibial plateau fractures see knee for more details.

What are the effects of expansile lesions on the tibia?

More expansile lesions will scallop the endosteal surface, thinning and weakening the cortex and making it prone to pathologic fracture. Chronic changes secondary to bone weakening may be seen, with bowing of weight-bearing structures, fracture, and remodeling.