Delayed Presentation of Displaced Salter-Harris III Distal Tibia Fracture: Does Transfracture Reduction Yield Satisfactory Outcomes?

Abstract

A Salter-Harris type III fracture of the distal tibia is a significant injury because of combined physeal damage and intra-articular extension. With a displaced fracture, anatomic physeal alignment and articular congruity are critical to minimize the risk of complications, but a preoperative delay makes the treatment challenging. Herein, we present a 12-year-old boy with a delayed presentation of a similar physeal injury managed by an open approach using a transfracture reduction technique. We have observed anatomic fracture healing and a favorable outcome with no signs of physeal arrest at a 2-year follow-up.Levels of Evidence:Level V