Abstract
Avulsion fractures of the tibial tuberosity are uncommon fractures observed most frequently in adolescents. Over the past twenty-six years, we have treated eight of these fractures in eight patients, and reviewed seven of these cases in this paper.
All were boys; ages at the time of the fracture ranged from fourteen to sixteen years. All sustained fractures during sports activities. By Watson-Jones classification, four patients had Type-I, one Type-II, and three Type-III fracture. All of them were treated with open reduction and fixation with a screw or Kirscner-wires.
At 11 years follow-up, two patients had a loss of range of motion of less than 10°, but had no limitations in sports activities. The others had no limitations in various daily life and sports.
All patients had equal leg lengths and none had roentogenographic evidence of premature closure or overgrowth of the tibial epiphysis. In two patients with a full range of motion, however, a tendency toward patella baja was noted.
