Objective：To compare the efficacy between arthroscopy and open reduction method in the treatment of various types of Schatzker tibial plateau fractures. Methods：Clinical data of 206 patients with tibial plateau fractures admitted to our hospital during March 2005 to October 2011 were collected and analyzed retrospectively. Totally 126 patients were included in this comparative study based on fracture patterns and were divided into two groups. Sixty-seven patients were treated by arthroscopically assisted management and the remaining 59 patients underwent conventional open method. All patients excepting two were followed up for 11 to 16 months after the operation，with an average time of 14 months. Results：There were significant differences between both groups in terms of op－eration time，intraoperative blood loss，incision length and postoperative hospitalization duration，postoperative complications and knee functional score at one year postoperatively. Conclusions：With the advantages of accurate diagnosis，minimally invasive，quick recovery and few complications，arthroscopy is more effective in the treatment of typeⅠ-Ⅲ tibial plateau fracture；however，conventional open reduction is more effective in the treatment of type Ⅳ-Ⅵ tibial plateau fractures.