Arthroscopic-Guided Balloon Tibioplasty in Schatzker III Tibial Plateau Fracture

 The study aims to present the results at a mean 28-months follow-up of arthroscopic-guided balloon tibioplasty and to spot some technical tricks and some practice using tools and materials.  The study relates to six patients with tibial plateau fractures type Schatzker III with tibial plateau depression more than 4 mm at preoperative computed tomography scan (CT-scan). The follow-up period ranged from 22 to 33 months, with a mean of 28 months. No patients were lost to follow-up. The patients were evaluated clinically using the Rasmussen score system and Lysholm score systems at 6 to 12 and 24 months, postoperatively. Radiographic evaluations (standard X-rays) were done preoperatively at 1, 3, and 12 months postoperatively while a CT-scan with 3D reconstruction was performed preoperatively, at the first day and 6 months, postoperatively.  The mean Rasmussen clinical score at 6 months postoperatively was 26.3 while at 1-year postoperatively the mean Rasmussen clinical score was 28.33. At 2-year postoperatively the mean Rasmussen clinical score was 28.83. Statistically significant difference was found in 6-months and 2-years results (  < 0.05). CT-scan achieved the first postoperative day showed the recovery of approximately 70% of the area of the interested tibial plateau, restoring of the joint surface without articular bone free fragments.  The described surgical procedure, if correctly performed with proper indications (Schatzker III), respect the principles mentioned above and the clinical and radiological results confirm our purpose.  This is a therapeutic case series, level IV study.