JOT - 2026-06-01 - Journal Article
Knee Hemarthrosis Aspiration and Its Effect on Compartment Pressures in Tibial Plateau Fractures.
Wynn A, Murphy J, Bruggers J, Donahue J, Smith D, Fairman RT, Becher S
Topics
Key Takeaway
Knee hemarthrosis aspiration in tibial plateau fractures reduced mean leg compartment pressures from 36 to 29 mmHg (average 4–7 mmHg decrease, up to ~20%), but aspiration volume did not correlate with magnitude of pressure change.
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Summary
This study asked whether aspiration of knee hemarthrosis reduces leg compartment pressures in tibial plateau fractures (OTA 41B/41C) undergoing spanning external fixation. Pre- and post-aspiration pressures were measured in all four leg compartments in 20 patients; mean pressure dropped from 36 to 29 mmHg (p<0.0025), representing up to 20% reduction. Five patients still required four-compartment fasciotomy after aspiration; no fasciotomies were needed in the 15 who did not have compartment syndrome at index surgery.
Key Limitation
The absence of serial post-aspiration pressure measurements means the duration of pressure reduction is unknown, making it impossible to determine whether the observed drop is transient or clinically meaningful.
Original Abstract
OBJECTIVES
To determine the effect knee hemarthrosis aspiration had on compartment pressures of the leg in patients with tibial plateau fractures.
DESIGN
Prospective pre-post interventional study.
SETTING
Single Level I Trauma Center.
PATIENT SELECTION CRITERIA
Included were nonobtunded patients with tibial plateau fractures (OTA/AO 41B/41C) who were undergoing spanning external fixation, with or without compartment syndrome from December 2023 to December 2024.
OUTCOME MEASURES AND COMPARISONS
Intracompartmental pressures in the anterior, lateral, superficial, and deep posterior compartments of the leg pre- and postknee hemarthrosis aspiration, volume of knee hemarthrosis aspiration, and diastolic blood pressure were obtained. Intracompartmental pressures and diastolic blood pressure were compared pre- and posthemarthrosis aspiration. Also, correlation between volume of aspirate and magnitude of pressure change was measured, and need for 4 compartment fasciotomies for compartment syndrome was evaluated.
RESULTS
Twenty patients were enrolled: 13 men and 7 women with an average age of 48 years, ranging from 18 to 68 years. The average aspiration volume was 42 mL (range 5-120 mL). Across all compartments in the leg, the average preaspiration pressure was 36 mm Hg and postaspiration pressure was 29 mm Hg ( P < 0.0025). Individual compartment pressure changes ranged from 0 to 25 mm Hg ( P < 0.005) that represented up to approximately 20% decrease in compartment pressures. There was no correlation between aspiration volume and pressure decrease found with this range of aspirate volumes (Pearson correlation coefficient approaching 0 for each compartment). Five patients underwent 4 compartment fasciotomy for compartment syndrome after aspiration, and no fasciotomies were required in the 15 legs that did not undergo release at the time of index surgery.
CONCLUSIONS
Aspiration of the knee hemarthrosis associated with tibial plateau fractures produced a drop in compartment pressures in the leg (average magnitude range 4-7 mm Hg). The clinical significance of this change is yet to be fully understood. The study showed at least a portion of the increased pressure in the compartments of the leg after tibial plateau fractures may be attributed to direct increases of pressure in the knee capsule due to hemarthrosis formation from fracture bleeding that may be relieved from aspiration. Time of effect and effect of continuous drains are further avenues of study to be evaluated.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE
Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.