The tibial plateau is the flat, expanded top of the shin bone or tibia which makes up the lower half of the knee joint. It is a very important part of the body for load bearing and any disruption of this area can cause abnormalities in alignment of the knee, knee stability and movement especially weight bearing and walking.

Early recognition and treatment of this injury is vital to avoid the potential disability which could ensue and the longer term consequences of knee arthritis. More than half the sufferers from this fracture are over fifty years of age.

Older women make up a significant proportion of patients with this fracture, related to the degree of osteoporosis present in this group. More energetic injuries present with this fracture in younger people.

When this fracture occurs, the usual method is for a downward force to be acting on the knee joint when it is suddenly pushed into a knock knee posture. Most commonly the outer condyle of the femur crushes down on the tibial condyle below it and presses the bone downwards into a fracture.

Motor vehicles injuries are a common reason for this presentation, with falls from a height and sporting injuries also figuring. Read the rest of this entry »