tibial plateau fracture

Last reviewed 01/2018

This is a fracture to either or both tibial condyles. The most common cause is a fall from a height in which the knee is forced into valgus or varus. Less frequently, this fracture may occur when the knee is struck violently from the side, as for example, when struck by a car bumper - the "bumper fracture."

An element of axial loading is usually involved since purely valgus or varus force is more likely to cause ligamentous injury. The tibial condyle is crushed by the opposing femoral condyle. The lateral tibial condyle is most commonly affected.