Bilateral Avulsion Fracture of the TibialTuberosity: A Case Report of a Rare Injury
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.82189/spot.84Keywords:
Adolescent, Fracture Fixation, Internal, Fractures, Avulsion/surgery, Tibial Fractures/surgeryAbstract
Avulsion fractures of the anterior tibial tuberosity are rare, predominantly occurring in adolescent males. This article reports a bilateral case in a 15-year-old boy with obesity, which occurred during running. The fractures, diagnosed by imaging as Watson-Jones type III, were treated with open reduction and internal fixation with screws bilaterally in the same surgical procedure. The postoperative period included immobilization for 4 weeks, with weight-bearing allowed at 8 weeks. At 6 months, the patient showed complete consolidation, a return to activities without limitations, and maximum functional scores. The discussion highlights the vulnerability of the growth plate and the disproportion between muscle strength and bone resistance. Surgical treatment proved effective, with a low complication rate, ensuring excellent functional outcomes with early diagnosis and appropriate management.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Tiago P. Barbosa, João Castro Mendes, Luís Fabião, Luís Miguel Silva, Tiago Frada
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
