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Triplane fractures in the hand
S Garcia Mata1, A Hidalgo Ovejero, M Martinez Grande
1Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgical Service, Virgen del Camino Hospital, Pamplona, Spain.
American Journal of Orthopedics (Belle Mead, N.J.)
|March 6, 1999
Summary
Triplane fractures, typically seen in the distal tibia, can also affect other growth plates like the thumb phalanx and distal radius. Undisplaced fractures heal well with conservative external immobilization.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic surgery
- Pediatric orthopedics
- Skeletal biology
Background:
- Triplane fractures are complex injuries involving the physis.
- Traditionally associated with the distal tibia, their occurrence in other physeal locations is less common.
Observation:
- Two cases of triplane fractures occurred in the proximal phalanx of the thumb and the distal radius in a 12-year-old girl and a 13-year-old boy, respectively.
- Neither fracture exhibited displacement.
Findings:
- Both fractures achieved complete healing within 4 weeks.
- Conservative management with external immobilization was successful.
- Physiologic physeal arrest prevents growth deformities in these cases.
Implications:
- Triplane fractures should be considered in pediatric injuries involving various growth plates.
- Non-displaced triplane fractures can be managed conservatively, similar to one-plane fractures.
- Early physeal arrest mitigates the risk of long-term growth disturbances.