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Fractures in the Elderly pp 269–282Cite as

Tibial Plateau Fractures in the Elderly

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Part of the book series: Aging Medicine ((AGME))

Abstract

Fractures of the tibial plateau in elderly individuals can occur following a low energy mechanism. Frequently, the fractures are depression-type injuries which cause articular incongruity and may have associated soft tissue or ligamentous injury. Definitive treatment of these fractures is often delayed because of the soft tissue envelope and requires a period of external fixation to maintain limb alignment and provide stability. The goals of operative fracture fixation are restoration of the articular surface and stable fixation. This can be accomplished through a variety of operative techniques with recent emphasis on preservation of the soft tissue envelope surrounding the proximal tibia and less invasive surgical exposures. In some circumstances, when the patient has significant degenerative joint disease, acute fracture fixation and total knee arthroplasty has been described for this condition. The management of these fractures can also be complicated by osteopenia and medical comorbidities which are more prevalent in the elderly population.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Spruce Street, 2 Silverstein Pavilion, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA

    Gwo-Chin Lee

Authors
  1. John Alan Scolaro
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  2. Gwo-Chin Lee
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Correspondence to Gwo-Chin Lee .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of Medicine, Ralston-Penn Clinic for Osteoporosis &, University of Pennsylvania, 36th Street & Hamilton Walk, Philadelphia, 19104-6160, Pennsylvania, USA

    Robert J. Pignolo

  2. Dept. Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pennsylvania, Spruce St. 3400, Philadelphia, 19104, Pennsylvania, USA

    Mary Ann Keenan

  3. , Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pennsylvania School of Med, 51 N 39th Street, Philadelphia, 19104, USA

    Nader M. Hebela

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Scolaro, J.A., Lee, GC. (2011). Tibial Plateau Fractures in the Elderly. In: Pignolo, R., Keenan, M., Hebela, N. (eds) Fractures in the Elderly. Aging Medicine. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60327-467-8_14

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60327-467-8_14

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-60327-466-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-60327-467-8

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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