Incidence and risk factors for decreased range of motion of the knee joint after surgery for closed tibial plateau fracture in adults

Purpose: The aim of this study was to quantify the incidence of and identify independent risk factors for decreased range of motion (ROM) of the knee joint after surgery for closed tibial plateau fractures in adults.

Methods: This retrospective study was performed at the trauma centre in our hospital from January 2018 to December 2019. Data from adult patients with tibial plateau fractures treated by surgery were extracted from the electronic medical records. A total of 220 tibial plateau fracture patients were enrolled. We extracted the patients' demographic characteristics, fracture characteristics, and surgery-related variables. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to investigate the potential independent risk factors.

Results: Fifty-seven patients developed decreased ROM of the knee joint at the 1-year follow-up in this study. The overall incidence was 25.9%. The independent predictors of decreased ROM after surgery, as identified in the multivariate analysis, were orthopedic polytrauma (odds ratio = 3.23; 95% CI = 1.68-6.20; p = 0.000), fracture type (Schatzker V-VI) (odds ratio = 2.52; 95% CI = 1.16-5.47; p = 0.019), and an open reduction and internal fixation approach (odds ratio = 2.10; 95% CI = 1.07-4.12; p = 0.031).

Conclusions: The study confirmed that patients with orthopaedic polytrauma, more complex fractures and those treated with open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) surgery were more likely to suffer decreased ROM of the knee joint 1 year after surgery.