No Difference Between Bracing and No Bracing After Open Reduction and Internal Fixation of Tibial Plateau Fractures.

INTRODUCTION: The use of a postoperative brace may be beneficial after open reduction and internal fixation of tibial plateau fractures. However, bracing has potential drawbacks related to cost, fitting, wound complications, and compliance. We hypothesized that no difference will be found between patients with and without bracing after open reduction and internal fixation of tibial plateau fractures.

METHODS: In this prospective, comparative trial, patients were randomized to 6 weeks of bracing or no bracing after open reduction and internal fixation of tibial plateau fractures. Functional, subjective, and radiographic outcomes were recorded. Patients with an open physis, unstable ligamentous injuries, extensor mechanism disruption, and/or <6 months of prospective outcome data were excluded.

RESULTS: The 24 patients with bracing (average age, 50 ± 16 years; 14 women and 10 men) were compared with the 25 patients without bracing (average age, 51 ± 12 years [P = 0.74]; 9 women and 16 men). No statistically significant differences were found in most of the functional, subjective, and radiographic outcomes, including fracture characteristics, complications, postoperative range of motion, Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form scores, and union rates. In the nonbraced group, one patient had late joint collapse with valgus malalignment (>10°). Two wound complications occurred in the braced group and four wound complications occurred in the nonbraced group, but this difference was not statistically significant.

DISCUSSION: Improvements in conventional and locking plate technology have allowed more reliable rigid internal fixation of tibial plateau fractures. However, the use of a brace for postoperative rehabilitation after open reduction and internal fixation of tibial plateau fractures continues to be debated.

CONCLUSION: Our prospective study showed no statistically significant difference between bracing and no bracing after open reduction and internal fixation of tibial plateau fractures in terms of functional, subjective, and radiographic outcomes.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic level II.