Proximal tibial physeal fracture - Salter-Harris type IV

Case contributed by Leonardo Lustosa
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Intense knee pain after landing from a jump.

Patient Data

Age: 15 years
Gender: Male

Knee radiographs revealed a proximal tibial physeal fracture. The fracture line passes through the metaphysis, growth plate, and epiphysis, characterizing a Salter-Harris type IV physeal fracture. Moderate knee joint effusion is also noted.

Case Discussion

Proximal tibial physeal fractures are a rare type of physeal fracture and usually require a great amount of force to happen.

The present case is classified as a Salter-Harris type IV fracture, there is intra-articular involvement as the fracture line goes through the metaphysis, across the physis, and into the epiphysis.

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