Tibial Spine Fractures Research Articles

Disparities in Evaluation, Treatment, and Outcomes of Pediatric Knee Injuries.

Similar to other fields, there is growing evidence of disparities in pediatric sports medicine. For children and adolescents with knee injuries, disparities persist along the lines of sex, gender, race, ethnicity, insurance, socioeconomic status, and other determinants. These factors influence the evaluation, treatment, and outcomes for a variety of knee pathologies, including anterior cruciate ligament ruptures, meniscus tears, osteochondritis dissecans, cartilage injuries, and tibial spine fractures. Inequities in care may have long-term functional and psychosocial implications. Additional research is necessary to further elucidate the etiology of these disparities, raise patient and community voices, and design interventions so that equitable care is delivered to every patient.

To Manipulate or Not? Management of Pediatric Knee Arthrofibrosis Following Operative Fixation of Tibial Spine Fractures

ObjectivesKnee arthrofibrosis is a common complication after surgical fixation of tibial spine fractures. However, there is no standardized treatment modality for resultant arthrofibrosis, with some surgeons electing for non-operative management, while others prefer manipulation under anesthesia with a possible arthroscopic lysis of adhesions, if indicated. To better understand indications and outcomes from these treatment modalities for arthrofibrosis, we examined patients treated by both approaches. MethodsWe performed a multicenter retrospective case series of patients with arthrofibrosis after tibial spine fracture surgery. Arthrofibrosis was defined as loss of knee extension ≥ 10.0° and/or knee flexion ≥ 25.0° compared to the contralateral, uninjured knee at three months following index surgery. Patients were organized into two cohorts: non-operative and operative treatment. Data was collected for demographics, fracture classification, concomitant injuries, treatment timeline, and knee range of motion. ResultsThere were 16 patients in the operative group and 10 patients in the non-operative group. At the time of diagnosis, the operative group had a mean 10° larger flexion deficit compared to the non-operative group. Both treatment modalities resulted in similar ranges of motion at terminal evaluation. Final flexion was recorded as 130° in the operative group and 127° in the non-operative group. Final extension deficits were 3° in both cohorts. ConclusionsOperative and non-operative treatment modalities can be effective in management of knee arthrofibrosis after fixation of tibial spine fractures. Non-operative treatment may be more suitable for milder range of motion deficits, but further research is necessary to guide clinical practice. Level of EvidenceLevel IV, Case Series;

Perioperative Management of Tibial Spine Fractures in Pediatric Patients: A Delphi Study to Identify Principles of Treatment.

The Delphi technique is a structured, iterative group survey method utilized to reach a consensus among experts in a field regarding topics with evidence-based equipoise. Currently, there are few studies at the highest levels of evidence published on the perioperative tibial spine management, making it an ideal subject to utilize expert opinion to reach consensus decision. The purpose of this study was to utilize a Delphi-method survey to achieve consensus statements regarding the perioperative management of tibial spine fractures. Before study initiation, 3 rounds of surveys were agreed upon, maintaining the traditional Delphi principles. Consensus was defined as 75% agreement or disagreement on a Likert scale. An anonymous survey consisting of 50 statements describing the management of tibial spine fractures preoperative and postoperative in varying scenarios was distributed to a group of 44 pediatric sports medicine orthopaedic surgeons utilizing an electronic survey software system. Of 44 surgeons invited to participate, 24 responded to round 1, 28 responded to round 2, and 25 responded to round 3. Consensus was achieved for the following: use of x-ray to determine initial treatment; casting for a minimum of 3 weeks for nonoperative management, but <3 weeks if treated with surgical fixation; advanced imaging to avoid missing concomitant injury; the necessity of physical therapy, but not continuous passive motion (CPM); and for arthroscopic surgical intervention. It was also agreed that functional testing is important in return-to-play (RTP) decision-making, though the specific timelines and clearance criteria could not be agreed upon. There were statements that displayed continued disagreement, including the role of aspiration, preoperative range of motion management, and the timing of surgical scheduling. Utilizing a Delphi methodology with experienced surgeons on tibial spine treatment, consensus in the management of tibial spine fracture was achieved for definitive management strategies. Further study will be important to optimize our management of this youthful population with tibial spine fractures.

Evaluation of Tibial Slope on Radiographs in Pediatric Patients With Tibial Spine Fractures: An Age- and Sex-Matched Study.

A recent study has reported that the radiographic measurement of posterior tibial slope (PTS) is larger in male pediatric patients with tibial spine fractures (TSF) than in controls. However, they found no difference in PTS between female patients and controls. (1) To identify whether PTS is larger in female pediatric patients with TSF than in female controls and (2) to validate the relationship between PTS and pediatric TSF in male patients. Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. After an a priori power analysis, 84 pediatric patients with TSF (50 female patients and 34 male patients) and 84 age- and sex-matched controls were enrolled in this study. Demographic information, including sex, age, and race, was recorded. Skeletal maturity was determined based on the stage of epiphyseal union on knee radiographs. PTS was defined as the angle between a line perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tibia and the posterior inclination of the medial tibial plateau on standard knee lateral radiographs. The mean age when the TSF occurred was 11.2 ± 2.7 years for female patients and 12.9 ± 2.5 years for male patients. There was no significant difference in skeletal maturity between female patients and female controls or between male patients and male controls. The mean PTS was not significantly different between female patients (8.8°± 2.8°) and female controls (8.3°± 3.1°) (P = .366) or between male patients (9.0°± 2.8°) and male controls (9.3°± 2.6°) (P = .675). Those with a PTS >1 SD (2.9°) above the mean (8.8°) had no greater odds (1.0 [95% CI, 0.4-2.5]; P≥ .999) of having a TSF than others. PTS was not found to be a risk factor for pediatric TSF in female or male patients in this study.

Paper 25: Enhancing Tibial Spine Fracture Repair: Suture Plus Diaphyseal Suture Anchors Biomechanically Outperform Sutures and Screws in Pediatric Cadaveric Knees

Paper 25: Enhancing Tibial Spine Fracture Repair: Suture Plus Diaphyseal Suture Anchors Biomechanically Outperform Sutures and Screws in Pediatric Cadaveric Knees

Arthroscopic-Assisted Fixation of Tibial Spine Fractures

Tibial spine fractures (TSF) are an avulsion injury of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) at the insertion on the tibial plateau. These injuries predominantly affect the pediatric population and are important to treat appropriately as they act similarly to complete ACL injuries. The decision to pursue surgical management is dictated mostly by fracture displacement, but also by various factors such as concomitant injuries, age and level of activity. Multiple fixation strategies are available, ranging from transosseous suture and suture anchors to the use of screws, staples or absorbable nails.This technique paper describes the author's preferred technique involving an arthroscopic assisted reduction of the tibial spine fracture and transosseous suture fixation. High tensile non-absorbable sutures are passed through the base of the ACL which are then passed through two 2.4mm transosseous tunnels tied over a bone bridge on the anterior medial tibia.An arthroscopic approach has been reported to have similar positive outcomes when compared to open reductions. Furthermore, the transosseous suture construct has been described to be advantageous biomechanically and to yield satisfactory results when compared to alternative fixation options.

Arthroscopic fixation techniques for tibial eminence fractures in pediatric patients: a review.

The introduction of new internal fixation devices and arthroscopic techniques has led to significant changes in the surgical treatment of tibial eminence fractures (TEFs) in children. In recent years, arthroscopic surgery has arisen as the gold standard for the treatment of TEFs. This popularity of arthroscopic techniques has reduced surgical complications and improved patient prognosis. In this paper, we investigate the current situation of the use of arthroscopic fixation techniques for pediatric TEFs. We searched the PubMed database using the terms "arthroscopic treatment and tibial eminence," "arthroscopic treatment and tibial spine," "tibial eminence avulsion", "tibial spine fracture", with no limit on the year of publication. From these articles, we reviewed the use of various arthroscopic TEFs fixation techniques reported in the current literature. Overall, we found that the choice of fixation method seems to have no effect on clinical outcomes or imaging results. However, if an easy, strong fixation that is less prone to epiphyseal damage is desired, as a junior practitioner, the anchor technique should be mastered first, whereas for senior practitioners, a variety of fixation techniques for TEFs should be mastered, including anchors, sutures, and screws, so that personalized fixation can be achieved with the least amount of trauma, operative time, and complications. Higher quality studies are needed in the future to provide Useful evidence to determine the optimal fixation technique in terms of clinical outcomes, function, and complications.

A Technique for Arthroscopic Fixation of Tibial Eminence Avulsion Fractures: A Physeal-Sparing Construct With All-Suture Anchor Bridge Fixation

Arthroscopic or open surgical treatment is indicated for displaced tibial spine fractures to obtain anatomic reduction and restore the functionality of the anterior cruciate ligament. Numerous open and arthroscopic techniques for the treatment of tibial spine fractures have been described. The purpose of this technical note is to describe a minimally invasive arthroscopic physeal- and ligament-sparing surgical technique using knotless all-suture anchors to provide stable bridge fixation over displaced tibial spine fractures.

Arthrofibrosis of the knee in pediatric orthopedic surgery.

Arthrofibrosis is a challenging complication associated with knee injuries in both children and adults. While much is known about managing arthrofibrosis in adults, it is necessary to understand its unique aspects and management strategies in the pediatric population. This paper provides an overview of arthrofibrosis in pediatric orthopedic surgery, focusing on its causes, implications, classifications, and management. This paper is a comprehensive review of the literature and existing research on arthrofibrosis in pediatric patients. Arthrofibrosis is characterized by excessive collagen production and adhesions, leading to restricted joint motion and pain. It is associated with an immune response and fibrosis within and around the joint. Arthrofibrosis can result from various knee injuries in pediatric patients, including tibial spine fractures, ACL and PCL injuries, and extra-articular procedures. Technical factors at the time of surgery play a role in the development of motion loss and should be addressed to minimize complications. Preventing arthrofibrosis through early physical therapy is recommended. Non-operative management, including dynamic splinting and serial casting, has shown some benefits. New pharmacologic approaches to lysis of adhesions have shown promise. Surgical interventions, consisting of arthroscopic lysis of adhesions (LOA) and manipulation under anesthesia (MUA), can significantly improve motion and functional outcomes. Arthrofibrosis poses unique challenges in pediatric patients, demanding a nuanced approach that includes prevention, early intervention with non-operative means, and improvements in surgical techniques. Modern pharmacological interventions offer promise for the future. Customized interventions and research focused on pediatric patients are critical for optimal outcomes.

MRI-Based Classification for Tibial Spine Fracture: Detection Efficacy, Classification Accuracy, and Reliability

Recently, a new MRI-based classification for evaluating tibial spine fractures (TSFs) was developed to aid in treating these injuries. Our objective was to assess the detection efficacy, classification accuracy, and reliability of this classification in detecting and grading TSFs, as well as its impact on treatment strategy, compared to the Meyers and McKeever (MM) classification. A retrospective study included 68 patients with arthroscopically confirmed TSFs. All patients had plain radiography and conventional MRI of the affected knee before arthroscopy. Three experienced radiologists independently reviewed all plain radiographs and MRI data and graded each patient according to MM and MRI-based classifications. The detection efficacy, classification accuracy, and inter-rater agreement of both classifications were evaluated and compared, using arthroscopic findings as the gold standard. The final analysis included 68 affected knees. Compared to the MM classification, the MRI-based classification produced 22.0% upgrade of TSFs and 11.8% downgrade of TSFs. According to the reviewers, the fracture classification accuracy of the MRI-based classification (91.2-95.6%) was significantly higher than that of the MM classification (73.5-76.5%, p=0.002-0.01). The fracture detection rate of MRI-based classification (94.1-98.5%) was non-significantly higher than that of the MM classification (83.8-89.7%, p=0.07-0.4). The soft tissue injury detection accuracy for MRI-based classification was 91.2-94.1%. The inter-rater reliability for grading TSFs was substantial for both the MM classification (κ=0.69) and MRI-based classification (κ=0.79). MRI-based classification demonstrates greater accuracy and reliability compared to MM classification for detecting and grading TSFs and associated soft tissue injuries.

Technical Note: Tibial Spine Avulsion Treatment with Arthroscopic Reduction and Internal Fixation with Kirschner Wires in Skeletally Immature Patients.

Tibial spine avulsion injury, tibial eminence injury, tibial spine fracture, and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) avulsion are multiple terms that express the same pathological condition. It can be encountered both in the pediatric and adult population. A wide array of surgical techniques have been proposed to manage displaced tibial spine avulsions. Anyway, insufficient evidence is currently available to prefer one fixation technique over another, and a gold-standard arthroscopy-based technique is still missing. In this article, we describe a mini-invasive, safe and user-friendly technique for arthroscopic reduction and internal fixation of displaced tibial eminence fractures. Standard and patient-specific accessory arthroscopic portals allow for full access to knee visualization and management of concomitant intraarticular lesions. After performing the debridement of the inflammatory tissue and the release of eventual interposed tissues in the fracture site, the tibial eminence avulsion can be reduced by using a less-invasive bone impactor. With the knee flexed to 90°, the fracture fragments are then synthesized (under fluoroscopic control) with three thin Kirschner wires inserted in a proximal-distal direction in a cross-shaped geometry. This technique allows a fast surgical and hospitalization time, a punctiform arthrotomy, proximal tibial physis preservation, and an early rehabilitation program. This novel technique seems attractive and very promising since it is respectful of the epiphyseal growth plates and is thus suitable for children and adolescents.

Anterior Displacement of Tibial Spine Fractures: Does Anatomic Reduction Matter?

Operative treatment of displaced tibial spine fractures consists of fixation and reduction of the fragment in addition to restoring tension of the anterior cruciate ligament. To determine whether residual displacement of the anterior portion of a tibial spine fragment affects the range of motion (ROM) or laxity in operatively and nonoperatively treated patients. Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Data were gathered from 328 patients younger than 18 years who were treated for tibial spine fractures between 2000 and 2019 at 10 institutions. ROM and anterior lip displacement (ALD) measurements were summarized and compared from pretreatment to final follow-up. ALD measurements were categorized as excellent (0 to <1 mm), good (1 to <3 mm), fair (3 to 5 mm), or poor (>5 mm). Posttreatment residual laxity and arthrofibrosis were assessed. Overall, 88% of patients (290/328) underwent operative treatment. The median follow-up was 8.1 months (range, 3-152 months) for the operative group and 6.7 months (range, 3-72 months) for the nonoperative group. The median ALD measurement of the cohort was 6 mm pretreatment, decreasing to 0 mm after treatment (P < .001). At final follow-up, 62% of all patients (203/328) had excellent ALD measurements, compared with 5% (12/264) before treatment. Subjective laxity was seen in 11% of the nonoperative group (4/37) and 5% of the operative group (15/285; P = .25). Across the cohort, there was no association between final knee ROM and final ALD category. While there were more patients with arthrofibrosis in the operative group (7%) compared with the nonoperative group (3%) (P = .49), this was not different across the ALD displacement categories. Residual ALD was not associated with posttreatment subjective residual laxity, extension loss, or flexion loss. The results suggest that anatomic reduction of a tibial spine fracture may not be mandatory if knee stability and functional ROM are achieved.

Poster 246: Epidemiology of Tibial Spine Fractures in Children: A National Multicenter Study

Objectives: Tibial spine fractures (TSFs) are avulsion fractures at the insertion of the anterior cruciate ligament at the tibial intercondylar eminence. TSFs are rare injuries thought to occur most frequently in skeletally immature children aged 8 to 14 years. Historically, it was thought that the most common mechanism was falling off of bicycles, but recent research suggests a variety of additional mechanisms. Treatment for TSFs can be operative or nonoperative depending on fracture type/severity, concomitant injuries, and surgeon and patient/family preference. Estimates of the epidemiology of this patient population are limited to primarily single-center reports. The objective of this investigation was to characterize epidemiology, including demographic information, injury mechanism, fracture type, and selection of surgical or nonsurgical treatment, in this injury population across eight geographically distinct institutions using retrospective data. Methods: IRB and reliance approval was obtained for each participating hospital. Patients younger than 25 years treated for TSFs between January 1, 2000 and January 31, 2019 were included. Patients with multiple lower extremity fractures or other traumatic injuries were excluded. Data was collected regarding demographics, mechanisms of injury, imaging reports, treatment, and concomitant injuries. Data were presented as medians and interquartile ranges. Categorical data was presented as counts and percentages and was stratified by sex and/or Meyers and McKeever fracture type. Results: 661 patients met inclusion criteria. Median age at presentation was 12.2 years (IQR 9.7-14.1), with a higher prevalence in boys than girls (66.1%, 437/661). Diagnosis at a study center occurred at a median of 4.0 days (IQR 1.0-9.0 days) after injury. Of these patients, 71.6% (432/603) had first been seen elsewhere, most commonly by emergency department physicians (40.7%, 176/432). The most commonly reported injury mechanisms were contact (44.4%, 244/549) and twisting, non-contact (42.8%, 235/549), with hyperextension injuries representing a much smaller proportion at 3.6%. Injuries occurred most frequently during sports at 56.8% (355/625), which were primarily skiing (127/352, 36.1%) and football (97/352, 27.6%). Distal femur and proximal tibia growth plate status were classified as open in 67.1% and 72.6% of cases, respectively. Both growth plates were classified as closed in only 5.8% of cases. Meyers and McKeever fracture type was most commonly Type II (40.4%) or Type III (44.4%). Treatment was surgical in 83.3% (549/659) of cases, and of these, most were treated arthroscopically (ARIF) (470/549, 86.1%). Conclusions: This study represents, to our knowledge, the largest epidemiological report to date of pediatric patients with tibial spine fractures. TSFs were more common in males than females (66.1% male), and the median age at injury was 12.2 years, which falls within the commonly reported range of 8-14 years. Furthermore, only 5.8% of patients had closed regional physes, corroborating the theory that TSFs are more likely to occur in skeletally immature individuals. We believe the data presented in this study can be useful towards patient counselling by providing a comprehensive view of the common presentations of and treatment pathways for tibial spine fractures in the pediatric population. [Table: see text] [Table: see text][Table: see text]

Fixation Strategy Does Not Affect Risk of Growth Disturbance After Surgical Treatment of Pediatric Tibial Spine Fracture

To characterize growth abnormalities after surgical treatment of tibial spine fractures and to investigate risk factors for these abnormalities. A retrospective analysis of children who underwent treatment of tibial spine fractures between January 2000 and January 2019 was performed, drawing from a multicenter cohort among 10 tertiary care children's hospitals. The entire cohort of surgically treated tibial spine fractures was analyzed for incidence and risk factors of growth disturbance. The cohort was stratified into those who were younger than the age of 13 years at the time of treatment in order to evaluate the risk of growth disturbance in those with substantial growth remaining. Patients with growth disturbance in this cohort were further analyzed based on age, sex, surgical repair technique, implant type, and preoperative radiographic measurements with χ2, t-tests, and multivariate logistic regression. Nine patients of 645 (1.4%) were found to have growth disturbance, all of whom were younger than 13 years old. Patients who developed growth disturbance were younger than those without (9.7 years vs 11.9 years, P= .019.) There was no association with demographic factors, fracture characteristics, surgical technique, hardware type, or anatomic placement (i.e., transphyseal vs physeal-sparing fixation) and growth disturbance. In this study, we found an overall low incidence of growth disturbance after surgical treatment of tibial spine fractures. There was no association with surgical technique and risk of growth disturbance. Level III, retrospective comparative study.

Poster 253: Is the Use of Pretreatment Magnetic Resonance Imaging Necessary Prior to Surgery in Pediatric Tibial Spine Fractures

Objectives: Injuries to the tibial spine occur as a result of an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) avulsion fracture from the intercondylar eminence of the proximal tibia. Similar to anterior cruciate ligament ruptures, tibial spine injuries are associated with damage to other intraarticular structures. These associated injuries are often visualized with Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) obtained prior to surgery. The purpose of the study is to describe concomitant injuries visualized by a pretreatment MRI, to examine how this correlates to what is seen at the time of surgery, and to determine how a pretreatment MRI affects the time between injury and surgery as well the length of the surgical procedure itself. Our hypothesis is that a pretreatment MRI results in a longer time between injury and surgery without any affect on operating time or amount of concomitant pathology identified. Methods: Utilizing an institutional review board approved retrospective study, we identified patients under 18 years of age who underwent arthroscopic management of a tibial spine fracture over a 13 year period. Our exclusion criteria were patients with a concomitant ipsilateral lower extremity fracture or posterior cruciate ligament injury, patients with poor imaging quality, and patients with incomplete medical records. Patients were then categorized based on whether they obtained a pretreatment MRI. We then evaluated for concomitant injuries, time from injury to surgery, total room time, and tourniquet time between the groups. Results: A total of 85 patients met this inclusion criteria, of which 44 (51.7%) had a pretreatment MRI. There were no significant differences in age, gender, or Myers and McKeever grade between groups. All were treated with arthroscopic reduction and fixation. In the MRI group, there were 30 patients (68.2%) that were identified to have additional meniscal or chondral pathology. The three most common pathologies seen on MRI were lateral meniscus tears (13 patients), medial meniscus tears (6 patients), and intermeniscal ligament entrapment (6 patients). In addition, 28 patients (63.6%) were found to have a bone contusion pattern similar to that seen in ACL injuries and 17 patients (38.6%) showed signs of damage to the ACL fibers themselves. Of those 30 patients with meniscal pathology or entrapment seen on MRI, 17 patients (56.7%) were confirmed to have that pathology at the time of arthroscopy. The percentage of patients with meniscal or chondral pathology seen on arthroscopy was not significantly different between those who received a pretreatment MRI and those who did not (38.6% MRI group vs 41.5% No-MRI group p =0.79). The time from injury to surgery was significantly longer in the MRI group (19.3 days vs 10.1 days p=0.01). Both the tourniquet time (72 min vs 76 min) and operative time (83.5 min vs 90.5 min) were not significantly different(p=0.49 for tourniquet time and p=0.32 for room time). Conclusions: Over two-thirds of patients who sustained a tibial spine fracture were noted to have concomitant pathology on MRI, with 56.7% of injuries seen on MRI correlating to what was seen at the time of surgery. The use of pretreatment MRI was shown to delay surgery without any significant change in operative time, tourniquet time, or percentage of pathology identified at time of surgery. Previous studies have suggested that a pre-treatment MRI may be helpful in identifying pathology, however we believe this is the first study to determine if obtaining a pretreatment MRI influences operative time, tourniquet time, and pathology identified at time of surgery.

Poster 272: The Significance Of Posterior Tibial Slope And Rate Of Concomitant Pathology In Pediatric Tibia Spine Avulsion And Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries

Objectives: Fractures of the tibial spine (TSF) occur as a result of an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) avulsion fracture from the proximal tibia. Both TSF and ACL injuries are associated with concomitant intraarticular pathology seen on Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and intraoperatively. In addition, posterior tibial slope (PTS) has been identified as a potential risk factor for ACL injury. The purpose of this study is to describe concomitant injuries seen on MRI and at time of surgery for TSF and ACL patients, and to characterize posterior tibial slope in patients who sustain these injuries. Our hypothesis is that ACL and TSF injuries have similar rates of meniscal injury, and that posterior tibial slope is increased in patients with TSF and ACL injuries compared to matched controls. Methods: Utilizing an institutional review board approved retrospective study, we identified patients under 18 years of age who underwent arthroscopic management of a TSF from December 31st 2008 to December 31st 2021. Exclusion criteria were patients with a concomitant lower extremity fracture or posterior cruciate ligament injuries, poor imaging quality, and incomplete medical records. TSF patients were compared to an age and gender matched cohort of patients who underwent surgery for a mid- substance ACL rupture, and a similar control group. We evaluated concomitant injuries based on radiology and operative reports and measured PTS on radiographs as well as medial (MTS) and lateral (LTS) posterior slope on MRI for all groups. We compared tibial slope amongst the groups using a one- way analysis of variance test, and the Fisher’s exact test was used to compare concomitant injuries between the ACL and TSF groups. Results: 85 TSF patients met inclusion criteria, of which 44 had an MRI. There were 41 patients in the ACL group and 44 in the control group. The average age was 11.8 years. Concomitant injuries were identified on MRI in 59.1% of TSF and 51.2% of ACL patients, and intraoperatively in 36.5% of TSF and 37% of ACL patients. The most common concomitant injury was lateral meniscus tears. There was no significant differnce between the TSF and ACL groups in terms of lateral meniscus tears seen on MRI (29.5% TSF vs 31.7 ACL, p=1.0) and seen on arthroscopy (18.2% TSF vs 31.7% ACL, p=0.21). Similarly there were no significant differences between the TSF and ACL group in terms of medial meniscus tears seen on MRI (13.6% vs 17.1%, p = 0.77) and on arthroscopy (9% vs 5%, p=0.19). There was a significant difference between groups when comparing the pivot-shift bone bruise pattern seen on MRI (63.6% TSF vs 90.2% ACL, P= &lt;0.01). There was significantly increased radiographic PTS in the TSF and ACL groups (Radiographs 8.7°+/-3.0° TSF vs 9.5°+/-3.3° ACL vs 6.6°+/-2.3° Control, p= &lt;0.01). This was also seen in the MTS mesured on MRI (MTS 5.3°+/-3.1° TSF vs 4.9°+/-2.7° ACL vs 3.7°+/-2.3° Control p= 0.02). There was no significant difference in LTS between TSF and Controls, but there was between ACL and Controls (LTS 4.1°+/-2.8° TSF vs 6.8°+/- 3.9°ACL vs 4.3°+/- 2.3° Control, p=&lt;0.01). Conclusions: This study is the first to depict tibial slope and bone contusion patterns seen in tibial spine injuries, as well as compare rates of meniscal injury and tibial slope between ACL and control patients. Posterior tibial slope is significantly increased in patients who sustain a TSF or ACL injury, suggesting that it may be a risk factor for injury. Similar rates of concomitant meniscal pathology are seen in both TSF and ACL injured patients, which may reflect similar mechanisms of injury. This also highlights that care must be taken to evaluate for additional pathology when treating TSF and ACL injuries. Future study is needed to determine the role, if any, that tibial slope plays in tibial spine fractures as well as to determine if intraarticular pathology identified on MRI influences longer term patient outcomes.

Reconstruction with Mixed Technique of Tibial Spine Fracture with Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury, about a Rare Case

Reconstruction with Mixed Technique of Tibial Spine Fracture with Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury, about a Rare Case

Screws or Sutures? A Pediatric Cadaveric Study of Tibial Spine Fracture Repairs

Background: Tibial spine fractures are common in the pediatric population because of the biomechanical properties of children’s subchondral epiphyseal bone. Most studies in porcine or adult human bone suggest that suture fixation performs better than screw fixation, but these tissues may be poor surrogates for pediatric bone. No previous study has evaluated fixation methods in human pediatric knees. Purpose: To quantify the biomechanical properties of 2-screw and 2-suture repair of tibial spine fracture in human pediatric knees. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: Cadaveric specimens were randomly assigned to either 2-screw or 2-suture fixation. A standardized Meyers-Mckeever type 3 tibial spine fracture was induced. Screw-fixation fractures were reduced with two 4.0-mm cannulated screws and washers. Suture-fixation fractures were reduced by passing 2 No. 2 FiberWire sutures through the fracture fragment and the base of the anterior cruciate ligament. Sutures were secured through bony tunnels over a 1-cm tibial cortical bridge. Each specimen was mounted at 30° of flexion. A cyclic loading protocol was applied to each specimen, followed by a load-to-failure test. Outcome measures were ultimate failure load, stiffness, and fixation elongation. Results: Twelve matched pediatric cadaveric knees were tested. Repair groups had identical mean (8.3 years) and median (8.5 years) ages and an identical number of samples of each laterality. Ultimate failure load did not significantly differ between screw (mean ± SD, 143.52 ± 41.9 7 N) and suture (135.35 ± 47.94 N) fixations (P = .760). Screws demonstrated increased stiffness and decreased elongation, although neither result was statistically significant at the .05 level (21.79 vs 13.83 N/mm and 5.02 vs 8.46 mm; P = .076 and P = .069, respectively). Conclusion: Screw fixation and suture fixation of tibial spine fractures in human pediatric tissue were biomechanically comparable. Clinical Relevance: Suture fixations are not biomechanically superior to screw fixations in pediatric bone. Pediatric bone fails at lower loads, and in different modes, compared with adult cadaveric bone and porcine bone. Further investigation into optimal repair is warranted, including techniques that may reduce suture pullout and “cheese-wiring” through softer pediatric bone. This study provides new biomechanical data regarding the properties of different fixation types in pediatric tibial spine fractures to inform clinical management of these injuries.

Tibial Spine Fractures in the Child and Adolescent Athlete: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Background: Tibial spine fractures (TSFs) are uncommon injuries that may result in substantial morbidity in children. A variety of open and arthroscopic techniques are used to treat these fractures, but no single standardized operative method has been identified. Purpose: To systematically review the literature on pediatric TSFs to determine the current treatment approaches, outcomes, and complications. Study Design: Meta-analysis; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: A systematic review of the literature was performed in accordance with the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses) guidelines using PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases. Studies evaluating treatment and outcomes of patients <18 years old were included. Patient demographic characteristics, fracture characteristics, treatments, and outcomes were abstracted. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize categorical and quantitative variables, and a meta-analytic technique was used to compare observational studies with sufficient data. Results: A total of 47 studies were included, totaling 1922 TSFs in patients (66.4% male) with a mean age of 12 years (range, 3-18 years). The operative approach was open reduction and internal fixation in 291 cases and arthroscopic reduction and internal fixation in 1236 cases; screw fixation was used in 411 cases and suture fixation, in 586 cases. A total of 13 nonunions were reported, occurring most frequently in Meyers and McKeever type III fractures (n = 6) and in fractures that were treated nonoperatively (n = 10). Arthrofibrosis rates were reported in 33 studies (n = 1700), and arthrofibrosis was present in 190 patients (11.2%). Range of motion loss occurred significantly more frequently in patients with type III and IV fractures (P < .001), and secondary anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury occurred most frequently in patients with type I and II fractures (P = .008). No statistically significant differences were found with regard to rates of nonunion, arthrofibrosis, range of motion loss, laxity, or secondary ACL injury between fixation methods (screw vs suture). Conclusion: Despite variation in TSF treatment, good overall outcomes have been reported with low complication rates in both open and arthroscopic treatment and with both screw and suture fixation. Arthrofibrosis remains a concern after surgical treatment for TSF, but no significant difference in incidence was found between the analysis groups. Larger studies are necessary to compare outcomes and form a consensus on how to treat and manage patients with TSFs.

Growth Disturbance after Surgical Treatment of Pediatric Tibial Spine Fracture: Results from a Multicenter Cohort

Growth Disturbance after Surgical Treatment of Pediatric Tibial Spine Fracture: Results from a Multicenter Cohort