Functional Outcome Analysis of Fixation of Tibial Plateau Fractures using the Three-column Concept

AIM: The aim of this study was to study the functional and radiological outcome after surgical fixation of complex intra-articular tibial plateau fractures managed by three-column concept. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten patients with complex intra-articular tibial plateau fractures were included in this study. They were classified according to the three-column concept based on X-ray and computed tomography. All of them underwent osteosynthesis after meticulous planning and the columns were addressed using combined approaches. RESULTS: We obtained good to excellent radiological and functional outcomes with the column-based fixation of the intra-articular tibial plateau fractures. About 90% of the patients were able to return to pre-injury level of activity without complications. CONCLUSION: The posterior column is a vital component of the tibial plateau and needs to be separately addressed. Three-column concept is a beneficial adjunct, especially in complex and biplanar intra-articular tibial plateau fractures, both as a diagnostic and a pre-operative planning tool.