Schatzker classification of tibial plateau fractures

Changed by Yaïr Glick, 8 Feb 2017

Updates to Article Attributes

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Schatzker classification system is one method of classifying tibial plateau fractures into six different categories.

Each increasing numeric fractureIncrease in category indicatesnumber denotes increasing severity, reflecting not only increased energy imparted to the bone at the time of injury but also an increasingly worse prognosis 1. The most common fracture of the tibial plateau is type II.

Classification

This system divides tibial plateau fractures into six types:

  • Schatzker I: is a wedge-shaped pure cleavage fracture of the lateral tibial plateau, originally defined as having less than 4 mm of depression or displacement
  • Schatzker II: splitsplitting and depression of the lateral tibial plateau; namely, type type I fracture with a depressed component
  • Schatzker III: pure depression of the lateral tibial plateau
    • divided into two subtypes
      • Schatzker IIIa: those with with lateral depression
      • Schatzker IIIb: those with with central depression
  • Schatzker IV: pure depression of the medial medial tibial plateau, without fracture with a fracture fragmentsplit or depressed component
  • Schatzker V: involving wedge fracture of both lateral and medial tibial plateau regions
  • Schatzker VI: transverse tibial metadiaphysial fracture through the metadiaphysis, along with any type of the tibiatibial plateau fracture

History and etymology

This classification was first published by Joseph Schatzker et al. in 1990 4.

See also

  • -<p><strong>Schatzker classification</strong> system is one method of classifying <a href="/articles/tibial-plateau-fracture">tibial plateau fractures</a> into six different categories.</p><p>Each increasing numeric fracture category indicates increasing severity, reflecting not only increased energy imparted to the bone at the time of injury but also an increasingly worse prognosis <sup>1</sup>. The most common fracture of the tibial plateau is type II.</p><h4>Classification</h4><p>This system divides tibial plateau fractures into six types:</p><ul>
  • +<p><strong>Schatzker classification</strong> system is one method of classifying <a href="/articles/tibial-plateau-fracture">tibial plateau fractures</a> into six different categories.</p><p>Increase in category number denotes increasing severity, reflecting not only increased energy imparted to the bone at the time of injury but also an increasingly worse prognosis <sup>1</sup>. The most common fracture of the tibial plateau is type II.</p><h4>Classification</h4><p>This system divides tibial plateau fractures into six types:</p><ul>
  • -<strong>Schatzker I:</strong> is a wedge-shaped pure cleavage fracture of the lateral tibial plateau, originally defined as having less than 4 mm of depression or displacement</li>
  • +<strong>Schatzker I:</strong> wedge-shaped pure cleavage fracture of the lateral tibial plateau, originally defined as having less than 4 mm of depression or displacement</li>
  • -<strong>Schatzker II:</strong> split and depression of the lateral tibial plateau, type I fracture with a depressed component</li>
  • +<strong>Schatzker II:</strong> splitting and depression of the lateral tibial plateau; namely, type I fracture with a depressed component</li>
  • -<strong>Schatzker IIIa:</strong> those with lateral depression</li>
  • +<strong>Schatzker IIIa:</strong> with lateral depression</li>
  • -<strong>Schatzker IIIb:</strong> those with central depression</li>
  • +<strong>Schatzker IIIb:</strong> with central depression</li>
  • -<strong>Schatzker IV:</strong> pure depression of the medial tibial plateau, without a fracture fragment</li>
  • +<strong>Schatzker IV:</strong>  medial tibial plateau fracture with a split or depressed component</li>
  • -<strong>Schatzker V:</strong> involving both tibial plateau regions</li>
  • +<strong>Schatzker V:</strong> wedge fracture of both lateral and medial tibial plateau</li>
  • -<strong>Schatzker VI:</strong> fracture through the metadiaphysis of the tibia</li>
  • +<strong>Schatzker VI:</strong> transverse tibial metadiaphysial fracture, along with any type of tibial plateau fracture</li>

Systems changed:

  • Trauma

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