Fractures of the knee and tibia

Abstract

Distal femoral extra-articular physeal fractures account for 1% of all fractures in children and 5% of physeal injuries. In hyperextension injuries the epiphysis is displaced anteriorly while the metaphysis is displaced into the popliteal fossa. The more frequent varus-valgus fractures result from abduction or adduction force in the coronal plane. Only a few are Salter-Harris I lesions (Fig. 49.1); the vast majority are Salter-Harris II fractures [1]. In children 2-11 years old these fractures are inevitably caused by severe trauma. In the adolescent, Salter-Harris I and II lesions are caused by less extensive trauma, usually sports injuries [2]. © Springer-Verlag London Limited 2010.