Paediatric Tibial Tubercle Avulsions

  • Typically in adolescents & is a transitional fracture
  • As the closure of this physis is imminent then there is a low incidence of recurvatum
Paediatric Tibial Tubercle Avulsions, lateral radiograph of a tibial tuberosity avulsion fracture
Lateral radiograph of a tibial tuberosity avulsion fracture. Image by Mikael Häggström, Wikimedia Commons, CC0.

Classification

TypeDescription
Type 1through the ossification centre
Type 2between the ossification centre of the tubercle & the plateau
Type 3out into the joint
Classification of Tibial Tubercle Avulsion

Treatment

  • ORIF with a screw if displaced

Reviewed by Professor Phong Tran, Head of Orthopaedic Surgery, Western Health. Last updated 10 October 2026.