Abstract
The tibial condyle fracture which involves articular surface of the proximal tibia is common in pedestrian injury of the traffic accident and often produces some disability of the knee joint because of the frequent association with ligamentous and meniscal injuries. Method of treatment in fractures of the tibial condyles has long been a controversial question. Recently most authors agree that the method of treatment has to be selected in each individual case and anatomical reduction of fracture and early knee motion are recommended but unsatisfactory results has been reported as between 20% and 40%. The authors analyzed the 34 cases of the tibial condylar fractures treated at the orthopaedic department of the Pusan National University Hospital from 1985 to 1990 regarding its type, treatment and end results. The results were obtained as follows. 1. The incidence is more frequent in male and the most common age group was the fifth decade (12 cases-35%). 2. The most common cause of injury was traffic accident(32 cases-94%). 3. The most common fracture site was lateral condyle of the tibia(26 cases-78%). 4. The most common fracture type according to the Hohl's classification was type I and type IV (each 10 cases-29%). 5. Among 34 cases, 14 cases(41%) were associated with soft tissue injuries. 6. 14 cases(41%) were treated by conservative methods and the others(59%) were trested by operative methods. According to Blokker's criteria, 13 cases(92%) among 14 conservative cases and 14 cases (70%) among 20 operative cases had satisfactory results. 7. The complioations were most common in Hohl's type VI fracture and the poor results were mostly caused by severe comminution, associated injuries, inaccurate reduction and prolonged cast immobilization.