Postoperative weight bearing and patient reported outcomes at one year following tibial plateau fractures

Abstract

Tibial plateau fractures are complex and the current evidence for postoperative rehabilitation is weak, especially related to the recommended postoperative weight bearing. The primary aim of this study was to investigate if loading in the first 12 weeks of recovery is associated with patient reported outcome measures at 26 and 52 weeks postoperative. We hypothesized that there would be no association between loading and patient reported outcome measures. Seventeen patients, with a minimum of 52-week follow-up following fragment-specific open reduction and internal fixation for tibial plateau fracture, were selected for this retrospective analysis. Postoperatively, patients were advised to load their limb to a maximum of 20kg during the first 6 weeks. Loading data were collected during walking using force platforms. A ratio of limb loading (affected to unaffected) was calculated at 2, 6 and 12 weeks postoperative. Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Scores were collected at 6, 12, 26 and 52 weeks postoperative. The association between loading ratios and patient reported outcomes were investigated. Compliance with weight bearing recommendations and changes in the patient reported outcome measures are described. Fracture reduction and migration were assessed on plain radiographs. No fractures demonstrated any measurable postoperative migration at 52 weeks. Significant improvements were seen in all patient reported outcome measures over the first 52 weeks, despite poor adherence to postoperative weight bearing restrictions. There were no associations between weight bearing ratio and patient reported outcomes at 52 weeks postoperative. Significant associations were identified between the loading ratio at 2 weeks and knee-related quality of life at six months (R²=0.392), and between the loading ratio at 6 weeks combined with injury severity and knee-related quality of life at 26 weeks (R²=0.441). In summary, weight bearing as tolerated does not negatively affect the results of tibial plateau fracture and may therefore be safe for postoperative management. These findings should be taken in context of the sample size, which was not sufficient for sub-group analysis to investigate the role of impaction grafting.

Keywords: Fracture healing; Open reduction and internal fixation; Proximal tibia; Rehabilitation; Tibial plateau fracture; Weight bearing.