GOOD NEWS: We have fixed the DICOM uploading problem. New cases should work fine. More info radiopaedia.org/chat

Tibial plateau fracture: Schatzker type V

Case contributed by Yaïr Glick
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Tripped and fell, sustaining a rotational injury to the left knee.

Patient Data

Age: 20 years
Gender: Female

Tibial plateau fracture on both sides of the eminence, the medial is split and the lateral has a depressed component - Schatzker type V fracture. The eminence is shattered and detached.
Pneumolipohaemarthrosis in the suprapatellar bursa.

 

Comminuted tibial plateau fracture with detachment of the intercondylar eminence and medial depression - Schatzker type V fracture.
The patella is in pronounced lateral tilt and subluxation.
Large lipohemarthrosis.
 
Medial meniscus: normal height and signal.
Lateral meniscus: detached (meniscocapsular separation), flipped, translated to the center of the knee, probably impacted in the plateau fracture.
Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL): normal thickness, course and signal; of note, detachment of the eminence with the ACL insertion.
Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL): normal thickness, course and signal.
Medial collateral ligament (MCL): normal thickness, course and signal.
Lateral collateral ligament (LCL): normal thickness, course and signal.
Quadriceps tendon: normal thickness, course and signal.
Layers of muscle, fat planes, skin, and subcutaneous tissue: prominent edema.
 
In summary:
  • Complex tibial plateau fracture (Schatzker V)
  • Detachment of the intercondylar eminence with the ACL insertion
  • Lateral menscus separation, translation to the center of the knee and apparent impaction between the fracture fragments
  • Lateral tilt and subluxation of the patella
  • Substantial lipohemarthrosis

 

Case Discussion

CT and MRI features of a Schatzker type V fracture with lateral meniscocapsular separation.

How to use cases

You can use Radiopaedia cases in a variety of ways to help you learn and teach.

Creating your own cases is easy.

Updating… Please wait.

 Unable to process the form. Check for errors and try again.

 Thank you for updating your details.