A retrospective study of sixty-one displaced fractures of the tibial
plateau treated by closed manipulative reduction and immobilization for six
weeks in a molded single hip-spica cast revealed that there was bone union
in all cases. Weight-bearing was carefully avoided for twelve to sixteen
weeks while motion of the knee was regained. Fifty-three patients were
followed for six months to twenty-two years, an average of 3.8 years.
Objectively, 85 per cent of the patients' results were rated good or
excellent while subjectively 94 per cent of the patients were satisfied
with their results.