Conservative Management of a Complex Schatzker Type V Bicondylar Tibial Plateau Fracture: A Case Report with 2-Year Follow-Up.
- 1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, New Mazloum Hospital, Tripoli, Lebanon.
- 2Department of Orthopaedic, Clinica Nostra Signora Della Mercede, Rome, Italy.
- 3Department of Life Sciences, Health and Health Professions, Link Campus University, Rome, Italy.
Abstract
Tibial plateau fractures are common injuries; the treatment can range, based on the type of fracture, from a simple knee brace to major surgery with metal plates and screws. Complex fractures have always been difficult to manage and are generally treated surgically because if non-adequately treated can lead to compromise stability and function. Non-operative management is rarely indicated because of concerns regarding fracture displacement, delayed union, joint instability, and the development of post-traumatic osteoarthritis. We report the case of a previously healthy 36-year-old man who sustained a complete left tibial plateau fracture following a motor vehicle collision. The patient declined surgical treatment; therefore, he was initially treated with a cricket-pad splint for 1 week, followed by a hinged knee brace for 4 months, with progressive partial weight-bearing permitted during treatment. At the 4-month and 2-year follow-up, the patient achieved fracture healing, an excellent functional outcome, and complete return to normal activities of daily living. This case illustrates that a satisfactory mid-term outcome may be possible with carefully monitored non-operative management in selected patients who decline surgery or have contraindications to surgical treatment.
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BibTeX
@article{elosta2026conservative,
title = {{Conservative Management of a Complex Schatzker Type V Bicondylar Tibial Plateau Fracture: A Case Report with 2-Year Follow-Up.}},
author = {Bassel El-Osta and Alaa Hamdan and Mariam Al Ali and Fabio Valerio Sciarretta and Hassan Zmerly},
journal = {Journal of orthopaedic case reports},
year = {2026},
month = nov,
doi = {10.13107/jocr.2026.v16.i11.8448},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42996995},
note = {CC BY-NC},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Conservative Management of a Complex Schatzker Type V Bicondylar Tibial Plateau Fracture: A Case Report with 2-Year Follow-Up.
AU - Bassel El-Osta
AU - Alaa Hamdan
AU - Mariam Al Ali
AU - Fabio Valerio Sciarretta
AU - Hassan Zmerly
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/11/01
JO - Journal of orthopaedic case reports
DO - 10.13107/jocr.2026.v16.i11.8448
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42996995
AB - Tibial plateau fractures are common injuries; the treatment can range, based on the type of fracture, from a simple knee brace to major surgery with metal plates and screws. Complex fractures have always been difficult to manage and are generally treated surgically because if non-adequately treated can lead to compromise stability and function. Non-operative management is rarely indicated because of concerns regarding fracture displacement, delayed union, joint instability, and the development of post-traumatic osteoarthritis. We report the case of a previously healthy 36-year-old man who sustained a complete left tibial plateau fracture following a motor vehicle collision. The patient declined surgical treatment; therefore, he was initially treated with a cricket-pad splint for 1 week, followed by a hinged knee brace for 4 months, with progressive partial weight-bearing permitted during treatment. At the 4-month and 2-year follow-up, the patient achieved fracture healing, an excellent functional outcome, and complete return to normal activities of daily living. This case illustrates that a satisfactory mid-term outcome may be possible with carefully monitored non-operative management in selected patients who decline surgery or have contraindications to surgical treatment.
SN - 2250-0685
SN - 2321-3817
ER -