Growth disturbances after injuries of the proximal tibial epiphysis

Abstract

Proximal tibial epiphyseal fractures are very rare. Partial growth arrest of the physis can cause important axial malalignment in the frontal or the sagittal plane or both, with subsequent shift of the weight-bearing axis onto the injured compartment of the knee joint. To detect the exact extent of the deformity, comparative radiographs of the contralateral side in two planes using long films as well as standing whole leg orthoradiographs are desirable. Accurate measurements in our series of six patients revealed deformities in two, which required secondary surgical correction.