Avulsion fracture of the tibial eminence associated with severe medial ligamentous injury in an adolescent

Abstract

In the presence of open physes, tibial eminence fractures are usually isolated injuries. However, adults sustaining a fracture of the tibial eminence are more likely to have other associated injuries, most commonly a tear of the medial collateral ligament. A case of an adolescent with a tibial eminence fracture and a complete tear of the medial collateral ligament is reported. Review of the literature revealed two similar cases in adolescents. If medial instability is demonstrated on valgus stress of the knee in an adolescent with tibial eminence fracture, we believe stress roentgenograms of the knee should be obtained to distinguish between physeal injury and collateral ligament tear.