Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 27, 2026
Creating Rigidly Stabilized Fractures for Assessing Intramembranous Ossification, Distraction Osteogenesis, or Healing of Critical Sized Defects
Published on: April 11, 2012
Simultaneous Bilateral Tibial Tubercle Avulsion Fractures Complicated by Compartment Syndrome in an Adolescent With
Tuckerman Jones1, David Ahn1, Rohan Suresh1
1Department of Orthopaedics, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, USA, rutgers.edu.
Background:
Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a rare collagen disorder causing brittle bones. Tibial tubercle fractures are uncommon in children, comprising < 2.7% of pediatric fractures, and bilateral injuries in OI are exceptionally rare. No prior reports detail bilateral tibial tubercle fractures with concurrent bilateral compartment syndrome. We present the first known case of this presentation in an 11-year-old boy.
Case Presentation:
An 11-year-old male with OI fell on his knees, presenting with severe bilateral leg pain. Imaging revealed bilateral Ogden III tibial tubercle fractures. Due to tense compartments, emergent fasciotomies were performed, followed by open reduction and internal fixation. At 16-month follow-up, the patient reported no complications and demonstrated normal ambulation.
Conclusion:
Surgeons should maintain a high index of suspicion for compartment syndrome in patients with OI presenting with tibial tubercle fractures, including after low-energy mechanisms, and intervene promptly when clinically indicated.
Related Concept Videos
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 procedure...
01:16Bones of the Lower Limb: Femur and Patella