Tibial eminence fractures in children: prevalence of meniscal entrapment.

BACKGROUND

Meniscal entrapment under a displaced tibial eminence fragment may be a rationale for arthroscopic or open reduction in type 2 and 3 tibial eminence fractures.

PURPOSE

To determine the prevalence of meniscal entrapment in children with type 2 and 3 tibial eminence fractures.

STUDY DESIGN

Case series.

METHODS

Records of a consecutive series of 80 skeletally immature patients (mean age, 11.6 years; range, 5 to 16) who underwent arthroscopic (71), open (5), or combined arthroscopic and open (4) reduction and internal fixation of type 3 tibial eminence fractures (57) or type 2 fractures that did not reduce in extension (23) from 1993 to 2001 were reviewed.

RESULTS

Entrapment of the anterior horn of the medial meniscus (36), intermeniscal ligament (6), or anterior horn of the lateral meniscus (1) was seen in 26% (6 of 23) of type 2 fractures and 65% (37 of 57) of type 3 fractures. An associated meniscal tear was seen in 3.8% of patients (3 of 80).

CONCLUSIONS

Meniscal entrapment is common in patients with type 2 and 3 tibial eminence fractures. Arthroscopic or open reduction should be considered for type 3 fractures and for type 2 fractures that do not reduce in extension to remove the incarcerated meniscus, allowing for anatomic reduction.