Tibial Plateau Fracture After a Fall from a Ladder: How a 67-Year-Old Patient's Recovery Progressed

Vasile, aged 67, fell from a ladder whilst doing jobs around the house and injured his right leg severely. His knee was extremely painful and could no longer be moved, so he went straight to the nearest hospital in his area. To determine exactly what had happened, the on-call doctor requested an MRI of the knee.

The results of the scan revealed a fracture of the right lateral tibial plateau — essentially, the top of the tibia had broken at the point where the bone forms part of the knee joint. This type of injury can affect both the stability of the joint and the ability to walk normally, which is why treatment needed to be carried out promptly, so that the bone could be properly realigned and the knee could function normally again.

The doctor who examined him told Vasile that he required surgery, but recommended he seek treatment at a clinic with experience in orthopaedic surgery. On the recommendation of an acquaintance, the patient went to see Dr. Liviu Ojoga, a primary care specialist in orthopaedics and traumatology and Head of the Orthopaedics and Traumatology Department at Spitalul Clinic SANADOR.

The doctor confirmed that surgical intervention was necessary and explained to Vasile in detail the diagnosis, the complexity of the procedure, and how the recovery would unfold. Just two days after the consultation, the patient was already scheduled for surgery.

Dr. Ojoga performed an osteosynthesis using a plate and screws: he repositioned the bone fragments and fixed them with compatible materials, also using a bone substitute to ensure the fracture would heal correctly. The operation was carried out under spinal anaesthesia, and the results were excellent.

Upon discharge, Vasile received clear instructions for his recovery. He wore an orthosis for a period and moved about with the aid of a walking frame or crutches. After two months, he had fully regained mobility in his knee, was able to drive again, and had resumed all of his usual activities without any pain.

Shortly before his 70th birthday, once the fracture had fully consolidated, Vasile returned to Spitalul Clinic SANADOR to have the plate and screws removed, as they were no longer needed once the bone had healed. The procedure was again performed by Dr. Liviu Ojoga, and the recovery was straightforward — the patient required only one overnight stay in hospital.

Services available for patients with orthopaedic conditions

At SANADOR, patients have access to orthopaedic and traumatology consultations, as well as modern imaging investigations — digital X-ray, 128-slice CT, or 3 Tesla MRI, depending on the doctor's recommendation. When surgery is required, procedures are performed at Spitalul Clinic SANADOR either through conventional or minimally invasive techniques, including robotic surgery, in one of the best-equipped operating theatres in the country, supported by a Category I intensive care unit with an extended level of competence.

For orthopaedic emergencies such as fractures or other traumatic injuries, patients can attend the Emergency Reception Department at Spitalul Clinic SANADOR, which operates around the clock, has its own ambulance fleet, and 26 on-call lines.