[Periarticular fractures of the knee in child and adolescent athletes]

Abstract

Most of the sports-related lower limb injuries in children and adolescents involve the knee. Due to the physiological characteristics of the growing skeleton, fractures are more common than ligamentous injuries in this age group. The most frequent type of injury is distal femoral physeal fractures followed by proximal tibial physeal injuries. Tibial tubercle avulsions are rare. Reduction should be gently performed and fixation methods should ensure that no further damage to the physeal plate occurs. Even after proper treatment, there is a significant risk for subsequent leg length discrepancies and/or angular deformities, requiring that children be followed closely for at least two years. Arthroscopic techniques have become popular in recent years in the treatment of displaced tibial eminence fractures. Residual anterior laxity remains an important problem after the healing of these fractures.