Triradiate cartilage fracture associated with a transepiphyseal separation of the femoral head: a case report

Abstract

Fracture-separation of the capital femoral epiphysis is an extremely rare lesion, representing approximately 8% of femoral neck fractures according to the Delbet and Colonna classification. The prognosis is generally quite poor when it is associated with hip dislocation. Traumatic disruption of the triradiate cartilage is an uncommon lesion and may be associated with fusion of the physis with the possibility of progressive subluxation of the hip. We report an exceptional case combining a capital femoral transepiphyseal fracture and Salter-Harris type 2 triradiate cartilage injury that required surgical management. The anatomy of the lesion, the mechanism involved, and treatment options are discussed, along with a review of the literature.