Abstract
The tibial condylar fractures involving the articular surface can produce some disability of the knee joint because it is frequently accompanied by soft tissue injury to the ligaments and menisci. Accurate anatomical reduction and rigid internal fixation with early motion is known to decrease the complications. During a period of 10 years, from January 1978 to December 1987, we treated 105 tibial condylar fractures at Severance Hospital. Of the above, 77 cases have been analyzed according to the classification, cause of injury, method of treatment, final result and complication. The 77 cases were classified as follows ; total condylar depression 17(22%), undisplaced 16 (21 %), split compression 16(21 %), comminuted 14 (18%), local compression 5 (7%), split 1 (1%) and others 8(10%). Among these, 59 cases revealed the result of “ACCEPTABLE” according to Porter's criteria. Of the conservative group, 86% obtained the rating of “ACCEPTABLE” and 67% of the operative group did as well. Possible complications include traumatic arthritis (9), limited motion (9), wound infection (6), instability (3), angular deformity (2), intraarticular loose body (2), nonunion (1) and myositis ossificans.