Presentation
Fall off a swing and landed on left foot.
Patient Data
Triplane fracture of left distal tibia.
X-rays of the ankle demonstrates a Salter-Harris type 3 fracture of the epiphysis on AP and Salter-Harris type 2 fracture of the metaphysis on the lateral view.
There is also an associated distal fibula fracture which can be seen on lateral x-rays.
CT scan of the ankle confirms a Salter-Harris type 3 fracture through the epiphysis on coronal view and Salter-Harris type 2 fracture of the metaphysis on the sagittal view.
Case Discussion
Triplane fractures of the ankle are a subgroup of Salter-Harris type IV fractures.
As depicted in the above images the fracture is in sagittal plane in the epiphysis, axial through the physis and in coronal orientation through the metaphysis.
CT scans of the ankle will help with better visualization of the fracture and aid with surgical planning.