Preface

The importance of this argument arises from high incidence of tibial plateau fractures, from epidemiology of this kind of fracture (usually young and active people) and from necessity to obtain a good restoration of function.

Tibial plateau fractures are mostly articular fractures. The goal of treatment is restoration of function and fracture fixation must offer enough stability to allow early mobilisation.

Several problems are correlated to this kind of fracture:

• cutaneous and soft tissue damage are often present, as these fractures often result from high energy trauma
• diagnosis is sometimes difficult: x-ray, CT scans and MRI can be used without a correct standardization
• associated lesions of menisci or ligaments can influence the final outcome
• different procedures are described for tibial plateau fractures: conservative treatment, open reduction and internal fixation, with arthroscopic techniques, with external fixation, using “balloon” indirect reduction, etc.
• postoperative care is fundamental to obtain a good result, but the timing is not so clear

We think a book clarifying and summarizing anatomy, pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation can help all orthopaedics surgeons treating this disabling kind of fracture. Our objective is not to give a definitive answer about treatment choice, but to propose some solutions on the basis of the fracture “personality”.