# Clinical outcomes and quality of life of patients after surgical treatment of a tibia plateau fracture

## TL;DR

This study examines how patients recover after tibial plateau fractures, finding that outcomes and quality of life are often poor, with higher BMI linked to worse results.

## Contribution

The study identifies BMI as a novel factor influencing recovery outcomes after tibial plateau fractures.

## Key findings

- Most patients regained work ability, but only 31% regained sporting ability.
- Higher BMI correlated with worse physical and emotional outcomes.
- Clinical results were not influenced by health insurance status in Germany.

## Abstract

Tibial plateau fractures are serious and challenging injuries of the knee joint, leading to severe long-term complications and permanent functional impairment of the knee joint. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome and quality of life after tibial plateau fracture and possible influencing factors.

This retrospective cohort study included patients who underwent surgical treatment for tibial plateau fractures between 2017 and 2020 at the University Medical Center, Göttingen. The endpoints of this study were clinical outcomes, complications, length of hospital stay, sporting ability, and the ability to work. Furthermore, quality of life (SF-36 questionnaire), everyday function (Lysholm Knee Score), subjective self-assessment of satisfaction, and the influence of health insurance status were analyzed.

A total of 117 patients were included, 55 of whom completed the questionnaires. The mean length of hospital stay was 21 (± 17) days. The most common postoperative complications were wound infection and pseudarthrosis (7.7%). Of the 55 patients who completed the questionnaire, 85.7% regained their ability to work after 28 weeks of incapacity for work. Sporting ability was regained in 31% of the 55 patients. Whereas the subjective satisfaction in our patients was good (56.6% satisfied, 20.8% rather satisfied), the result of the Lysholm score was “poor” on average (mean 63 ± 27) and the SF-36 scores were worse on average compared to the normal population. A correlation between lower BMI and a better outcome was shown by better results in both the Lysholm score and SF-36 dimension (physical functioning).

Our study could underline that fractures of the tibial plateau are still an injury that have major impact on the quality of life of those affected. We were able to determine increased body weight as a parameter with a negative influence on physical function scores and psychological and emotional well-being. The clinical results were independent of health insurance status in Germany.