Neglected ununited tibial eminence fractures in the skeletally immature: arthroscopic management

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to prospectively evaluate outcomes of arthroscopic management of neglected ununited tibial eminence fractures in skeletally immature patients.

Methods

The study was conducted and cases performed by two surgeons from two centres as a prospective case series of 13 patients with neglected ununited tibial eminence fractures: nine were girls and four were boys; ten were right knees and three were left. The average age at surgery was ten standard deviation (SD) 2.6] years. Average follow-up was 10.8 (SD 6.8) months. Primary outcome measures used for evaluation were the Objective International Knee Documentation Committee Score (IKDC), subjective IKDC and modified Lysholm knee score. Secondary outcome measures were visual analogue scales (VAS) for pain and patient satisfaction.

Results

Twelve patients had grade A objective IKDC score and one patient had grade B. Average subjective IKDC score was 80.5 (SD 16.7). Average modified Lysholm score was 91.2 (SD 8.9). Average VAS for operation satisfaction was 9.6 (SD 0.5) and for pain was 0.4 (SD 0.5). All patients showed radiological union and anatomical reduction at an average of 12.4 weeks postoperatively. At follow-up, all 13 patients showed complete range of motion (ROM). Eleven patients had negative Lachman, anterior drawer and pivot-shift tests, while two patients had grade 1 positive Lachman and negative anterior drawer and pivot-shift tests. No patient had complained of instability.

Conclusion

Neglected ununited tibial eminence fractures in skeletally immature patients achieve good functional outcome results when treated with arthroscopic reduction and internal fixation using sutures.