Tibial plateau fracture physical examination
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Rohan A. Bhimani, M.B.B.S., D.N.B., M.Ch.[2]
Overview
Patients with tibial plateau fracture usually appears well. Physical examination of patients with tibial plateau fracture is usually remarkable for swelling, tenderness, bruises, ecchymosis, deformity and restricted range of motion of the leg.
Physical Examination
Physical examination of patients with tibial plateau fracture is usually remarkable for swelling, tenderness, bruises, ecchymosis,
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Appearance of the Patient
- Patients with tibial plateau fracture usually appears well.
Vital Signs
- Weak pulse may be seen when associated with polytrauma.
- Low blood pressure with normal pulse pressure may be present due to compound fracture with blood loss.
Skin
- Skin examination of patients with distal radius fracture includes:
HEENT
- HEENT examination of patients with tibial plateau fracture is usually normal.
Neck
- Neck examination of patients with tibial plateau fracture is normal.
Lungs
- Pulmonary examination of patients with tibial plateau fracture is usually normal.
Heart
- Cardiovascular examination of patients with tibial plateau fracture is usually normal.
Abdomen
- Abdominal examination of patients with tibial plateau fracture is usually normal.
Back
- Back examination of patients with tibial plateau fracture is usually normal.
Genitourinary
- Genitourinary examination of patients with tibial plateau fracture is usually normal.
Neuromuscular
- Neuromuscular examination of patients with tibial plateau fracture is usually normal.
- However, some patients may develop neuropraxia of the deep peroneal nerve and tibial nerve resulting in decreased sensation of toes, foot and leg.
Extremities
- Knee examination of patients with tibial plateau fracture include:[1][2][3][4]
- Swelling
- Tenderness
- Deformity
- Knee Dislocation
- Restricted range of motion
- Tingling and decreased sensation of toes, foot and leg
- Decreased sensation over the shin and the calf can be due to nerve injury
- Weakness in leg
- Acute carpal tunnel syndrome
- Pulselessness in the leg
- Skin pallor
- Parasthesias
- Internal Derangement of the Knee
- Meniscal Injury
- Positive McMurray’s test
- Meniscal Injury
- Ligamentous Injury
- Anterior Cruciate Ligament and Posterior Cruciate Ligament
- Positive Drawer test
- Positive Lachman test
- Positive Dial test
- Medial Collateral Ligament and Lateral Collateral Ligament
- Anterior Cruciate Ligament and Posterior Cruciate Ligament
References
- ↑ Ramponi DR, McSwigan T (2018). “Tibial Plateau Fractures”. Adv Emerg Nurs J. 40 (3): 155–161. doi:10.1097/TME.0000000000000194. PMID 30059369.
- ↑ Rockwood, Charles (2010). Rockwood and Green’s fractures in adults. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. ISBN 9781605476773.
- ↑ Singleton N, Sahakian V, Muir D (2017). “Outcome After Tibial Plateau Fracture: How Important Is Restoration of Articular Congruity?”. J Orthop Trauma. 31 (3): 158–163. doi:10.1097/BOT.0000000000000762. PMID 27984441.
- ↑ Dubina AG, Paryavi E, Manson TT, Allmon C, O’Toole RV (2017). “Surgical site infection in tibial plateau fractures with ipsilateral compartment syndrome”. Injury. 48 (2): 495–500. doi:10.1016/j.injury.2016.10.017. PMID 27914662.
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