Since the tibial condylar fractures violate the articular surface of the knee, they are frequently accompanied by the injuries of the ligaments and/or menisci. They are affecting not only the alignment of lower leg, but also the stability and
movement
of knee joint.
The authors analyzed arthroscopic findings of thirty-one cases of tibial condylar fracture which were treated by reduction under arthroscopic guidance, internal fixation and bone graft during the period from May 1993 to May 1995.
The results are as follows.
1. There were twenty(65%) lateral, seven(23%) medial, and four(12%) both condylar fractures.
2. Ten cases of meniscal injury and three cases of anterior cruciate ligament injury were noted.
3. All meniscal injuries (10 cases) occurred in lateral side and 6 cases were accompanied by lateral condylar fractures while 4 cases were accompanied by medial condylar fractures.
4. Three ACL injuries were avulsion rupture in 1 case, partial tear in 1 case, nad substance teatr in 1 case.
From the above results, it is clear that tibial condylar fractures are frequently associated with intraarticular lesions such as meniscal injury and ACL tear. Therefore routine arthroscopic examination could be recommended because it not only
helps
to
reduce the fracture under direct vision, but also enables to detect intraarticular lesions which in our study showed higher frequency than that were formerly known.
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