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Triplane fracture

Case contributed by Talal F M Abdullah
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Fall whilst cycling. Complains of right ankle pain.

Patient Data

Age: 15 years
Gender: Male
x-ray

A fracture involving the distal tibia metaphysis, physis and epiphysis.

ct

The configuration of the fracture is an oblique fracture through the metaphysis, a horizontal fracture through the physis and a vertical fracture through the epiphysis. This fracture is also known as a triplane fracture.

Case Discussion

Fractures involving the epiphysis, physis and metaphysis classify as a Salter-Harris type IV fracture. When the fracture involves 3 planes, it is also called a triplane fracture, which is common in older children aged 12 to 15 years.

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