Acute tibial tubercle avulsion fractures in the sporting adolescent.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: The authors report 7 cases of acute tibial tubercle avulsion fractures. The fracture occurred in 6 out of the 7, after an abrupt tension of the patellar tendon in male sporting adolescents (age 13-17 years). Two patients presented symptoms of homolateral Osgood-Schlatter's disease before the lesion. METHOD: According to Ogden's classification, the tibial tubercle avulsion fracture was not displaced in 3 cases (stage IA) and was treated conservatively by immobilization for 6 weeks. In 4 cases, the fracture was displaced and necessitated an internal fixation with plaster for about 6 weeks. A torn patellar tendon was noted in one adolescent having a stage IIIB avulsion fracture. RESULT: The mean follow-up was of 4.5 years (1.5-7.5 years). The results were satisfactory complete functional recovery, resumption of sport at the previous level and absence of recurvatum.