Distal femoral physeal fractures are a common type of physeal injury. Why?
Distal femoral physeal fracture is most common in young boys of ages 10-14 because of the weakness of the physeal in a growing point in the adolecents life. The physes is the largest of the knee and isn't protected by the lateral collateral. This injury occurs with a significant valgus load.
What Clinical features of distal femoral physeal fractures?
Patient will usualy have pain around the knee and mobilaty limited. Normal evaluation testing lide Valgus and Varus at 30 degrees and Lachmans and plpations are necessaty in evaluating the injury.
What does radiographic assessment show about distal femoral physeal fractures?
Comparison AP and lateral views of the opposithe knee may help assess loss of physeal symmetry. The radiographs will show in time if perosteal reaction is ruled out due to healing if x-rays where normal but the physis is tender, there is most likely still a fracture.
How do you manage distal femoral physeal fractures?
There are 4 different types of fracture that can occur with the femor. So each is
differently managed. #1-Physis: cylinder or long legcast, with crutches.
#2-Metaphysis + Physis:reduction is required and interal fixation.
#3-Physis+Epiphysis+joint type 4 is all.
What is the outlook for patients who have had distal femoral physeal fractures?
the out look on physeal fractures depends on the type and age in the healing process. A mature skeletal is less concern to younger patients in healing.
When do you suspect a proximal tibial physeal fracture?
This mostly occurs in preteens due to a direct blow to the knee;causing physeal
displacement. Usually the patient will have pain around the tibia and looking for
tenderness at the physis+jointline and by an AP and lateral radiographs of the knee.
How do you manage the fracture?
In management you must establish the fracture patterns and if unstability is in play.
How do you identify tibial eminence fracture?
These are the same an(ACL) but they are bone evultions (ACL) strength will be lost and noticed during testing . There will be knee paine and effusion.
Due to adolecent injuries to the growth plate(Physis),femur, tibia nad patella. Careful clinical and radiographic assessment is important to reduce the potential for growth arrest and resultant deformity.
Abstract writtenby:Vanessa Connolly