Bilateral traumatic distal femoral transphyseal fracture in a 9-year-old male

Abstract

A case of bilateral traumatic distal femoral Salter-Harris Type I fracture presented to our emergency department. History was of a 9-year-old male playing at a building site when a concrete block fell from height on to his knees, which were extended in a sitting position. Management was with analgesia and transfer to theatre followed by closed reduction and internal fixation - position was assessed under mobile X-ray. The patient made a full clinical recovery within 18 weeks and was followed-up over 5 years. There was no clinical effect on final adult length of femur and no deficit in range of movement. The foot-drop observed at presentation resolved over a period of 12 weeks. This case highlights the importance of performing a thorough neurovascular examination of the patient at presentation, followed by a careful closed reduction and internal fixation under anaesthesia, being careful not to damage the distal femoral growth plates.