J Korean Fract Soc.  2006 Jul;19(3):319-321. 10.12671/jkfs.2006.19.3.319.

Prevalence of Meniscus Tear in Tibial Plateau Fractures

• Kim JM
• Lee DY
• Yang YJ

• KMID: 2063870
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.12671/jkfs.2006.19.3.319

Abstract

PURPOSE: To evaluate the pattern of meniscal tear according to the type of the tibial plateau fracture of Schatzker.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Sixty two cases of tibial condyle fracture treated between the period of 1994 and 2003 were evaluated. The fracture type was classified according to Schatzker. The pattern and extent of the meniscus tear were compared with the fracture classification. Statistical analysis was made with the Fisher's exact test.
RESULTS
Meniscus tear was noted in 29 cases out of 62 fractures (46.8%). The twenty cases of minimally displaced fractures treated conservatively showed no meniscal tear. Of 18 cases of the most common type I fracture 2 (11.2%) had a meniscus tear. Of 16 type II fractures 12 (75%) had a meniscus tear. The type III fracture showed the highest prevalence of meniscus tear (76.9%, 10/13). There was statistically significant relationtionship between the type of fractures and the rate of meniscus tear (p<0.0001).
CONCLUSION
The meniscus tear frequently occurred in tibial plateau fractures in Schatzker type II and III. Associated meniscus tears should be born in mind when those types of fracture are encountered.

Keyword

Tibial condyle fracture; Pattern of meniscus tear

MeSH Terms

Classification
Prevalence*