Trauma: Introduction

Description

In this orthopedic surgical presentation, Dr. Aleksey Dvorzhinskiy, an Orthopedic Trauma Surgeon at the Hospital for Special Surgery, introduces the topic of tibial plateau fractures. He outlines the session's structure, focusing on the types of tibial plateau fractures—common injuries that can result from high-energy trauma in younger individuals or low-energy falls in the elderly.



Dr. Dvorzhinskiy explains the anatomy of the knee, highlighting the key bones involved: the femur, patella, fibula, and tibia, with a particular emphasis on the tibial plateau, a flat surface of bone crucial for knee function. The presentation includes a hands-on dissection using a sawbone model to demonstrate how to approach the surgical repair of these fractures, including recognizing critical anatomical landmarks and employing various surgical techniques.



He discusses the need for understanding the alignment of fractured bones to decide on the appropriate management—whether non-operative or surgical intervention is required. Surgical methods for realigning and fixing fractures with plates and screws are also demonstrated, detailing the anatomy that must be respected during surgery, including muscles, nerves, and ligaments.



The presentation involves a thorough dissection demonstrating the surgical approaches to the lateral and medial sides of the tibial plateau, showing the dynamics of working around sensitive structures and ensuring proper visualization to achieve optimal outcomes for patients with tibial plateau fractures.

Specialties