Is tibial plateau same as condyle?

The tibial plateau has two articular surfaces, the medial and lateral tibial condyles, also called the medial and lateral plateaus. The medial tibial condyle bears 60% of the knee’s weight and is a thicker structure. It is concave in shape and located slightly more distally compared to the lateral tibial condyle.

How long does it take for a tibial plateau fracture to heal?

Non-displaced tibial plateau fractures take up to 3-4 months without surgery to heal. When surgery is required these cases take around 4 months to heal.

How serious is a tibial plateau fracture?

Patients with tibia plateau fractures are at risk for a serious condition called compartment syndrome. This occurs when the pressure in the leg gets too high for blood and oxygen to circulate. Eventually, the muscle will die if this goes untreated.

Do you need a cast for a tibial plateau fracture?

Tibial Plateau Fracture Care For fractures that have not shifted, surgery may not be needed. The most common non-surgical treatment is a short leg, non-weightbearing cast or a hinged knee brace, combined with physical therapy and rest.

How do you sleep with a tibial plateau fracture?

Invest in a specialized pillow, like a body pillow, for elevation—keeping the broken bone above your heart prevents blood from pooling and causing swelling. Try sleeping on your back first while propped up on a few pillows. If that doesn’t work, slowly adjust yourself to a side position if possible.

How do you fix a medial tibial plateau fracture?

Surgeons may recommend an operation to fix the broken tibia if the pieces are displaced, if the bone sticks out of the skin, if skin is at risk for dying or if the bone is unstable due to the fracture type. The injury is usually fixed with metal plates and screws placed through a large incision.

What is a medial tibial plateau fracture?

In a medial tibial plateau fracture, a split or depressed component occurs, which is usually the result of a high energy injury and involves a strong force loading at the knee. Occurring in 10% of all tibial plateau fractures, this type has a high risk of damage to the the popliteal artery and peroneal nerve.

How is the medial plateau of the knee injured?

To injure the medial plateau, a large amount of force is required; fractures of the medial plateau are usually seen in conjunction with fractures of the lateral plateau and other bones around the knee joint. The fracture pattern will depend on the mechanism of injury.

What is the difference between medial and lateral tibial condyle?

The medial tibial condyle bears 60% of the knee’s weight and is a thicker structure. It is concave in shape and located slightly more distally compared to the lateral tibial condyle. The lateral tibial condyle is convex in shape, thinner, weaker, and more proximal than the medial tibial condyle.

Why are bicondylar fractures more common than medial plateau fractures?

With high-energy mechanisms such as these, bicondylar fractures are more common than isolated medial plateau fractures. Tibial plateau fractures as a result of low energy mechanisms are more likely to occur in the elderly, or other populations with osteoporotic disease.