Juvenile fracture of tillaux. A distal tibial epiphyseal fracture.

Abstract

The juvenile fracture of Tillaux is a Salter-Harris type III fracture of the distal tibial epiphysis. The mechanism of injury is an external rotational force of the foot. The fracture fragment is avulsed from the anterolateral aspect of the distal tibial epiphysis by the anteroinferior tibiofibular ligament. Treatment is based on the amount of displacement after closed reduction techniques are attempted. If complete anatomical reduction cannot be obtained, the authors recommend open reduction with internal fixation. The method of internal fixation should be based on the skeletal maturity of the distal tibial epiphysis. The prognosis usually is good if anatomical reduction is performed. The most serious complication reported is pain and stiffness secondary to articular incongruity following inadequate closed reduction techniques. The case of a 14-year-old girl with a juvenile Tillaux fracture treated by open reduction with excellent functional results at 11 months follow-up was presented.