Epiphyseal fractures of the proximal tibia

During a 12-year period there were 15 patients with proximal tibial epithyseal fractures. Eleven were examined at follow-up with a mean observation time of 7 years (range 3.5-12.5). Five patients with type IV or type V lesions had concomitant avulsion fractures of the tibial insertion of the anterior cruciate ligament, two being displaced. Eight out of twelve patients had concomitant ligamentous injuries. At follow-up two patients complained of instability, confirmed by clinical examination. Another two patients had symptom-free anterior laxity. Serious angular deformity was found in two patients, while important leg length discrepancy was observed in one. Degenerative changes of the knee joint were found in three patients. An active reconstructive approach is recommended, and attention is drawn to concomitant ligamentous injuries which, it seems, in the past have tended to be underestimated.