Tibial tuberosity avulsion fracture in adolescents

Avulsion fracture of the tibial tubercle is an uncommon but severe injury of the proximal tibial physis in adolescents. These fractures are all Salter Type III injuries. The fracture line may extend through the proximal tibial articular surface. When accurate reduction and sound fixation is achieved, uncomplicated union without deformity may be expected. Eight cases of tibial tubercle avulsion fracture have been treated during the last 5 years. Postinjury follow-up ranged from 18 months to 5 1/2 years. All patients were functioning well at the time of reexamination. Five of eight injuries were treated with open reduction and internal fixation. When the proximal tibial articular surface was involved in the fracture, anatomic reduction was the primary goal. This review demonstrates that this particular epiphyseal plate injury in the adolescent knee heals well without deformity or functional loss once adequate reduction and fixation of the fracture fragments have been achieved.