Osteonecrosis of the distal tibia metaphysis after a Salter-Harris I injury: a case report

Abstract

Posttraumatic osteonecrosis has been well described as a common phenomenon seen in fractures of the femoral neck, talus, and scaphoid. In the following case, we describe posttraumatic osteonecrosis in a rare location: the distal tibia. Our report details a child who sustained a distal tibia physeal injury and subsequently developed radiographic findings consistent with aseptic necrosis. Besides a traumatic incident, the patient did not have any of the risk factors known to cause osteonecrosis. Awareness of this complication after Salter-Harris I fractures will help reduce time to diagnosis and optimize treatment.