[Rupture of the tibial tuberosity in children and adolescents]

The avulsion of the tuberosity of the tibia occurs particularly in male adolescents. Although on the whole being a rare type of injury, it is caused primarily by sports injuries following a sudden contraction of the quadriceps muscle when the knee is bent, especially when jumping. The main symptoms are loss of extensional capacity, local swelling and palpable dislocation. The radiographic differentiation from osteochondrosis of the tibial tuberosity (Osgood-Schlatter) can be difficult, especially if there is a minimal dislocation. Principally, surgical therapy is applied. Depending on the size of the bone - fragment a tension band or fixation with a spongiosal bone screw should be taken into consideration.