Arthroscopic Treatment of Displaced tibial Intercondylar Eminence Fractures: A Comparison of K-wires vs. Screw Fixation

Lee, Byung Ill; Min, Kyung Dae; Jang, In Kwan; Kim, Yeon Ill; Rah, Soo Kyoon; Choi, Chang Uk

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
To assess and compare the degree of reduction and clinical results following arthroscopic cannulated screw and K-wire fixation for type III displaced tibial intercondylar eminence fractures.
METHODS
From 1991 to 1997, 20 patients with type III of intercondylar eminence fractures were arthroscopically treated (K-wire in 12 and screw in 8) and followed up 31 mo. in average. Degrees of reduction, extension loss and residual joint laxity were checked. And statistical analysis was done (Mann Whitney U-test) . Functional results were recorded by Meyers & McKeever's criteria.
RESULTS
Degrees of reduction showed +2.1mm in K-wire group, and -1.3mm in screw group (avg., p<0.05) . Anterior displacements were 2.2mm and 1.7mm in stress x-rays and 3.5mm and 1.2mm in KT-1000 arthrometer, respectively (avg.,p<0.05) . Average loss of extension was 7 in K-wire group and 3 in screw group. There were excellent 9, good 3 in K-wire group and excellent 7, good 1 in screw group.
CONCLUSION
Because of arthroscopic screw fixation able to compress and sink the fragment, it may showed less extension loss and residual laxity than K-wire fixtion. It is recommendable for the first choice to the treatment of type III tibial intercondylar eminence fractures with relatively large fragment.