Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 28, 2026
A Rat Tibial Growth Plate Injury Model to Characterize Repair Mechanisms and Evaluate Growth Plate Regeneration Strategies
Published on: July 4, 2017
Proximal Tibial Epiphyseal Injury in a 14-Year-Old Asian Male With Vitamin D Deficiency as a Possible Cause: A Case
Shotaro Kawamura1,2, Kenta Kamo1, Hidehiko Kido1
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Yamaguchi Red Cross Hospital, Yamaguchi, Japan.
Abstract:
We report a case of a 14-year-old Asian male who presented with a Salter-Harris Type II injury of the proximal tibial epiphysis and a fibular fracture following a minor mechanism of injury. The patient was emergency transported to our hospital with complaints of pain and flexion deformity around the left knee following a contusion. Imaging studies confirmed the diagnosis of a Salter-Harris Type II injury of the proximal tibial epiphysis. Given the minor mechanism of injury, blood tests revealed vitamin D deficiency. Under general anesthesia, manual reduction and percutaneous pin fixation were performed, resulting in good bone union and functional recovery. This case highlights the importance of considering vitamin D status when managing pediatric fractures following minor mechanisms of injury or unusual fractures and epiphyseal injuries.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Role of Vitamins in Maintaining Bone Health
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is involved in the process of bone remodeling. Retinoic acid, the active metabolite of Vitamin A, has nuclear receptors in osteoblasts and osteoclasts, which are involved in bone remodeling.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 acts as a cofactor during the formation of osteoblast-related proteins, such as osteocalcin. Vitamin B12 plays a role...
01:29Bone Disorders
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...
01:23Role of Skin in Vitamin D Synthesis
The solar UV B rays (290-315 nm) are absorbed by the skin, and 7-dehydrocholesterol (provitamin D3) photolyzes it to previtamin D3, which undergoes a rapid transformation to vitamin...
01:27Fractures: Bone Repair
Minor fractures with no bone displacement are treated by immobilizing the fractured bone using a cast or splint. However, in the case of fractures with displaced bones, the broken bones are repositioned before immobilization to ensure successful healing without deformation and loss of function. The realignment of fractured bone ends is performed through a process called reduction. If the...
01:22Connective Tissue Cell Types
Fat cells (adipocytes), smooth muscle cells (myoblasts), and bone cells (osteoblasts) are some connective tissue cell types. Some immune system cells...
01:17Hormones and Bone Tissue
Hormones That Influence Osteoblasts and/or Maintain the Matrix
Several hormones are necessary for controlling bone growth and maintaining the bone matrix. The pituitary gland secretes growth hormone (GH), which, as its name implies, controls bone growth. This happens in several ways: first, it triggers chondrocyte...