[Apophyseal fractures in adolescents].

Apophyseal fractures occurred in 14 adolescents. The patients, 13 boys and 1 girl, were between 13 and 16 years old. All the fractures occurred while the patients were engaged in vigorous sports, particularly soccer and athletics. We found avulsion fractures of the tibial tuberosity (5), the lesser trochanter (4), the anterior inferior iliac spine (3) and the anterior superior iliac spine (2). Open reduction was necessary in 6 patients with fractures of the tibial tubercle or a displacement of the superior or inferior iliac spine of more than 3 cm. Eight patients were treated with bed rest or cast immobilization. The follow-up examination 1-3 years later included a thorough survey of the mechanism of injury and clinical and X-ray investigations. In 12 patients there was total resolution of symptoms in 1-3 months. The remaining 2 patients, both with avulsion fractures of the tibial tubercle, were asymptomatic except for some discomfort when kneeling or long-distance running.