Injuries of the distal tibial epiphysis: systematic radiographic evaluation

The site of injury to the distal tibial epiphysis in the younger individual depends on the relation of the ligaments to the epiphysis, the type of injury, and the maturity and degree of closure of the growth plate. A characteristic radiographic pattern of injury occurs as a result of each particular injuring force, which in turn requires a specific mode of fracture reduction. One hundred and ninety-four cases of epiphyseal injuries were reviewed, and the incidence and diagnostic characteristics of the various types are presented. The Salter-Harris classification of lesions reveal the type II is the most common (46.4%), followed by type III (25.2%), type IV (10.3%), and type I (5.7%). The triplane fracture constituted 9.8%, and miscellaneous injuries, which could not be classified, were 2.6%.