Avulsion tibial tubercle fracture, resulting from a low energy trauma

Malkidou Nymfodora1, Galanis Vasilios2, Fiska Aliki1
1 Laboratory of Anatomy, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, Greece
2 Orthopaedic Clinic, Didymoteichon Hospital, Greece

Keywords: Adolescent knee trauma, high riding patella, patellar ligament avulsion, tibial tuberosity fracture

Abstract


This study aims to describe a rare tibial tubercle fracture (TTF) in an adolescent boy, associated with complete patellar ligament avulsion, resulting from low energy trauma. A 13-year-old boy, while walking home from school, experienced an abrupt twisting calf movement that injured his knee causing him to fell to the ground. Radiological examination revealed a TTF combined with high-riding patella. The fracture was promptly fixed with cannulated screws and transosseous sutures. A combined TTF and patellar ligament avulsion during mild activity in a
healthy young individual is considered a rare phenomenon, and requires the same specialized surgical intervention as high-energy fractures, to avoid serious motion impairment.