Fracture of the tibial tuberosity in adolescents.

Fracture of the tibial tuberosity is an uncommon injury and rarely occurs after closure of the proximal tibial epiphysis. Three cases of tibial tuberosity fracture over a period of 11 years were treated by open reduction, internal fixation, and immobilization for 6 weeks in plaster of Paris (1970-1980). The postoperative follow-up times were 5, 6, and 7 years. No subsequent deformities were detected. Two patients had secondary posttraumatic patella infera without any symptoms. All patients returned to normal activity. The results demonstrated that this injury in the adolescent knee heals without deformity of functional loss when adequate reduction and fixation of the fracture fragments have been achieved.