Final answer:
The degree of displacement and quality of reduction are the strongest predictors of clinical outcomes for tibial plateau fractures.
Step-by-step explanation:
The strongest predictor of clinical outcomes for tibial plateau fractures is the degree of displacement and the quality of reduction.
Generally, tibial plateau fractures that are severely displaced or have poor reduction are associated with worse clinical outcomes such as loss of knee motion, post-traumatic arthritis, and a higher likelihood of requiring subsequent surgical procedures.
For example, a study published in the Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma found that fractures with less than 5mm of residual joint step-off had significantly better clinical outcomes compared to fractures with greater than 5mm step-off.