Schatzker IV tibial plateau fractures: are they always unicondylar?

Objective: The objectives of this study were to describe the incidence and morphology of medial tibial plateau fractures that extend into the lateral articular surface and to describe trends in their management. Design: Retrospective. Setting: Level I Urban Trauma Center. Patients: Seventy consecutive patients sustaining OTA/AO 41 B1 and B3 fractures. Intervention: Open reduction internal fixation of medial tibial plateau fractures. Main Outcome Measurements: Incidence of medial tibial plateau fractures that extend into the lateral articular surface. Secondary outcomes include localization of lateral articular surface depression, neurovascular injury, and trends in surgical management. Results: Seventy patients were included with 9 fractures (12.9%) isolated to the medial condyle (MC) and 61 fractures (87.1%) extending to the lateral condyle (LC). Compartment syndrome was present in 2 patients (2.9%), peroneal nerve palsy in 2 (2.9%), and arterial injury in 1 (1.4%). Initial external fixation was used more frequently in the LC group compared with the MC group ( Conclusions: Schatzker IV fractures frequently extend to the lateral condyle and often present with depression of the posteromedial lateral articular surface. Fractures with lateral articular surface depression depth ≥10.6 mm were more likely to undergo fixation with dual incisions. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic level IV.