Subchondral Rafting Plate for the Treatment of Fragmented Articular Central Depression Tibial Plateau Fracture Patterns: Case Series and Technical Illustration

Articular depression is a significant component of lateral tibial plateau fracture patterns. Current literature supports the use of subchondral rafting screws, either placed through a plate or not. However, articular comminution has been associated with increased articular subsidence despite an adequate screw-joint distance. We report four cases that underwent the subchondral rafting plate technique for fragmented articular central depression lateral tibial plateau fractures. Clinical and radiographic evaluations were performed at the last follow-up. The mean follow-up was 18 months. All patients healed the fracture without any significant articular subsidence or loss of reduction. This case study hints that this novel technique is a potentially safe and cost-effective strategy to be incorporated in the daily practice of the orthopedic trauma surgeon, especially in certain challenging circumstances when a salvage procedure is required due to lateral tibial plateau fracture malreduction and the unavailability of anatomically designed locking plates.