Abstract
BACKGROUND: Tibial plateau fractures (TPFs) account for approximately 1% of all fractures and notably 8% of fractures among the elderly. While both surgical and non-surgical interventions can yield promising short-term results, the long-term implications, particularly the risk of post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA), necessitate further investigation. Although osteoarthritis (OA) and osteoporosis (OP) share common risk factors, including age and gender, yet the interaction between PTOA and OP remains unclear, thereby warranting in-depth exploration. METHODS: This study involved a cohort of 103 patients with TPFs who underwent minimally invasive percutaneous plate osteosynthesis (MIPPO) combined with double reverse traction reposition (DRTR) from December 2015 to July 2018. We analyzed the relationship between Bone Mineral Density(BMD), knee alignment, PTOA grading, and joint function. Differences in BMD and knee alignment were compared between patients with HKA < 177° (varus group) and those with HKA ≥ 177° (non-varus group). BMD was evaluated using computed tomography-derived Hounsfield Units (HUs). Alignment and joint deformation were quantified via hip-knee-ankle angle (HKA), medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA), lateral distal femoral angle (LDFA), joint line convergence angle (JLCA), and posterior tibial slope (PTS), while OA stages were assessed via Kellgren-Lawrence (K-L) classification. The functional outcome was assessed via SF-36 and HSS score. RESULTS: There were 30 cases (29.1.0% %) in the varus group and 73 cases (70.9%) in the non-varus group. The K-L classification showed a positive correlation with PTS(r = 0.339, p < 0.001). The SF-36 score was negatively correlated with tibial BMD(medial tibia: r = - 0.235, P = 0.050; lateral tibia: r = - 0.260, P = 0.036; mean tibial BMD: r = - 0.285, P = 0.021). The HSS score was negatively correlated with femoral BMD (medial femur: r = - 0.320, P = 0.017; lateral femur: r = - 0.236, P = 0.050; mean femoral BMD: r = - 0.300, P = 0.018). Among patients with high BMI, the K-L classification was positively correlated with femoral BMD, with stronger associations observed Additionally, HKA demonstrated a negative correlation with the BMD of the medial femur and the mean femoral BMD. Significant differences were observed in medial femoral BMD and MPTA between the varus and non-varus groups. CONCLUSION: BMD in the distal femur and proximal tibia is significantly associated with knee function and quality of life, particularly in patients with elevated BMI. Increased BMD correlates with poorer joint function, reduced quality of life, and greater varus deformity, contributing to the progression of PTOA. Notably, patients with knee varus exhibit increased medial femoral BMD and aggravated tibial varus. These findings suggest that postoperative assessment and management of periarticular BMD may help optimize joint alignment, reduce abnormal stress distribution, and delay PTOA progression, thereby improving clinical outcomes.