TITLE:
Postoperative Rehabilitation after Operative Treatment of Tibial Plateau Fractures: A Narrative Review of Safety, Progressive Loading, and Criterion-Based Recovery
AUTHORS:
Daniel Louis Ndika, Amani Pelesi Fungo, Namuunza Moonga Lyambai, Sariluci Coral Marquez, Hamidu Saidu Ibrahim, Qifang He
KEYWORDS:
Tibial Plateau Fracture, Postoperative Rehabilitation, Weight-Bearing, Gait, Functional Recovery
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Orthopedics,
Vol.16 No.10,
October
29,
2026
ABSTRACT: Operatively treated tibial plateau fractures may leave persistent deficits in motion, strength, gait, balance, independence, work, sport, and quality of life despite fracture union. This narrative review synthesized contemporary evidence on postoperative motion, loading, exercise, neuromuscular and gait recovery, pain, participation, and patient-centred care. A targeted search of PubMed/ MEDLINE, publisher records, and reference lists identified English-language adult studies published from January 2020 through 2 September 2026. Forty-six publications, including 41 original research reports and five reviews, were included. Early knee motion is generally supported when fixation and soft tissues permit. Immediate or earlier weight-bearing may improve clinical, gait, and balance outcomes in selected patients with stable fixation, especially the Schatzker I - IV patterns represented in the available randomized reports, but should not be generalized to mechanically vulnerable constructs or highly comminuted injuries. Recovery may remain incomplete because weakness, gait asymmetry, pain, fear of movement, and participation restrictions can persist after union. Rehabilitation should therefore progress through explicit mechanical, clinical, functional, psychological, and independence criteria rather than one fixed timetable. The proposed pathway is an evidence-informed decision framework and not a validated universal protocol.