[Epiphyseal fractures-dislocations of the lower extremity of the tibia]

Ninety six distal tibial epiphyseal fractures were identified and treated in our institution from 1976 to 1988. The average age was twelve years and eight months (range two to seventeen years), but seventy-one were between eleven and fourteen years old. Using the Salter-Harris classification we have found twelve type 1 tibial fractures, fourty-two type 2, thirty type 3 and twelve type 4. Four were triplane fractures and seven were Tillaux fractures. Twenty-six had injuries in the medial corner of the ankle mortise (Mac-Farland). Fifty patients were treated non-operatively with closed reduction and plaster cast. Fourty-six fractures were treated surgically. Seventy patients were available for follow-up evaluation. The average follow-up was thirty-two months (range 6 months to eleven years). The tibial distal epiphyseal cartilage was closed in 48 patients. As short-term complications we have seen three post-operative displacements after closed reduction; all of them were treated surgically. Five incomplete closed reduction needed open reduction needed open reduction and bone fixation. Two infections occurred after a surgical approach. Among late complications we have seen eleven premature epiphyseal cartilage closure (rate 15%). Four were responsible of angular deformities. One child has a tibial osteotomy for varus deformity after a medial closure. Two ankle arthritis occurred: one of them was seen after a post-operative infection. In two cases of fracture of the medial mortise corner, a valgus deformity with hypertrophy of the medial malleolus occurred. Ankle arthritis is the most severe complication of the adolescent articular fractures (Tillaux and triplane fractures).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)