Skip to main content
Log in

Simultaneous bilateral tibial tubercle avulsion fracture in an adolescent: a case report and review of the literature

  • Knee
  • Published:
Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy Aims and scope

Abstract

Avulsion fractures of the tibial tubercle are uncommon. Bilateral tibial tubercle avulsion fractures are extremely rare. In this article, we describe Watson-Jones type III simultaneous bilateral tibial tubercle avulsion fractures in a 17-year-old boy who fell on the ground while taking off in high jump in sport. An open anatomic reduction and internal fixation was performed. We report here on the successful surgical treatment of a simultaneous bilateral fracture of the tibial tuberosity in an adolescent. These types of fractures involve a growth plate, extend through the articular surface and appear to do well with open reduction and secure internal fixation despite their bilateral nature, with recovery and functional outcome comparable to results from unilateral tibial tubercle avulsion fractures.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Bolesta MJ, Fitch RD (1986) Tibial tubercle avulsions. J Pediatr Orthop 6:186–192

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Christie MJ, Dvonch V M (1981) Tibial tuberosity avulsion fracture in adolescents. J Pediatr Orthop 1:391–394

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Chow SP, Lam JJ, Leong JCY (1990) Fracture of the tibial tubercle in the adolescent. J Bone Joint Surg Br 72:231–234

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Henard DC, Bobo RT (1983) Avulsion fractures of the tibial tubercle in adolescents: a report of bilateral fractures and a review of the literature. Clin Orthop 177:182–187

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Maar DC, Kernek CB, Pierce RO (1988) Simultaneous bilateral tibial tubercle avulsion fracture. Orthopedics 11:1599–1601

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Mirly HL, Olix ML (1996) Bilateral simultaneous avulsion fractures of the tibial tubercle. Orthopedics 19(1):66–68

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Mosier S, Stanitski C, Levine R (2000) Simultaneous bilateral tibial tubercle avulsion fracture—case report. Orthopedics 23(10):1106–1108

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Ogden JA, Tross RB, Murphy MJ (1980) Fractures of the tibial tuberosity in adolescents. J Bone Joint Surg Am 62:205–215

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Ryu RK, Debenham JO (1985) An unusual avulsion fracture of the proximal tibial epiphysis. Case report and proposed addition to the Watson-Jones classification. Clin Orthop 194:181–184

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Watson-Jones R (1976) Fractures and joint injuries, vol 2, 25th edn. Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore, pp 1048–1050

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Alexandra Dimitrakopoulou.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Georgiou, G., Dimitrakopoulou, A., Siapkara, A. et al. Simultaneous bilateral tibial tubercle avulsion fracture in an adolescent: a case report and review of the literature. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 15, 147–149 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-006-0164-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-006-0164-0

Keywords

Navigation