Presentation
Fall from standing height. Swelling of the right knee. Unable to bear weight on the right leg.
Patient Data
Knee radiographs revealed an intra-articular fracture of the proximal tibia, the tibial plateau. The lateral tibial plateau is fractured, with an axial depression component. This characterizes a Schatzker type II tibial plateau fracture.
Important knee joint effusion is noted.
Case Discussion
Tibial plateau fractures are fractures of the proximal tibia with intra-articular involvement. These injuries are usually the result of high-energy trauma. However, amongst the elderly population, low-energy trauma such as a fall from standing height might cause a tibial plateau fracture.
The present case was classified as Schatzker type II fracture.