Arthroscopic treatment of intercondylar eminence fractures with intraepiphyseal screws in children and adolescents.

INTRODUCTION: Tibial intercondylar eminence fracture rarely occurs in childhood. Its treatment requires anatomic reduction to provide knee stability and a rigid fixation to minimize postoperative immobilization time.

HYPOTHESIS: Arthroscopy combined with fluoroscopy with intra-epiphyseal ASNIS screw fixation can meet the requirements of this treatment.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: The series comprised 24 patients (mean age: 11 years) with Meyers and McKeever type II tibial intercondylar eminence fractures (n=15) or type III (n=9), operated on between 2011 and 2013. Fixation with 4-mm ASNIS screws was placed arthroscopically. The demographic data, associated lesions, radiological union, stability, functional result, and the Lysholm score were evaluated.

RESULTS: With a mean follow-up of 2 years, the mean Lysholm score was 99.3 for type II and 98.6 for type III fractures. At the 6th postoperative week, range of motion in the operated knees was identical to the healthy knees. At the 12th postoperative week, there was no sign of anterior laxity. Twelve cases included meniscal entrapment, but no significant difference was observed in the functional results.

DISCUSSION, CONCLUSION: ASNIS screw fixation under arthroscopy can be successfully applied in the treatment of types II and III tibial intercondylar eminence fractures in children. This technique provides excellent stability, allows early weigh-tbearing, and preserves function of the knee and its growth.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV, retrospective study.