Arthroscopic Reduction and Fixation by Cerclage Wire Loop for Tibial Spine Avulsion in Adults: Short-term Results

Background: Several arthroscopic techniques for the treatment of avulsion tibial spine fractures have been described in the literature.

Purpose: To evaluate the outcomes of the arthroscopically assisted stainless steel wiring technique in the treatment of avulsed tibial spine in adults.

Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods: This retrospective study involved 28 patients (28 knees), 16 to 42 years of age, with tibial spine avulsion fracture that was treated using arthroscopic reduction and cerclage wire fixation by a single surgeon between March 2015 and August 2018. The degrees of avulsion in these patients were type II (n = 12), type III (n = 10), and type IV fractures (n = 6). Clinical assessment included International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) objective score (which noted swelling), range of knee movement, Tegner activity scale, Lachman test, and pivot-shift test compared with the normal opposite knee.

Results: The mean follow-up period was 24.1 months (range, 18-30 months). The mean IKDC score was 93.7 (range, 88.5-98.9); the IKDC score was normal in 22 patients and nearly normal in 6 patients. The Lachman test was grade 1 in 25 patients and grade 2 in 3 patients, whereas the pivot-shift test was grade 0 in 26 patients and grade 1 in 2 patients. All patients achieved their preinjury Tegner activity levels. Radiological assessment showed healing in all patients within a mean of 12 weeks after surgery.

Conclusion: The outcomes of all patients were satisfactory; fixation by cerclage wiring permitted reduction of tibial spine fragment anatomically to its fracture bed, provided stable fixation in displaced tibial spine avulsion, and allowed for early rehabilitation and weightbearing because of stable fixation.