Distal tibial triplane fracture with ipsilateral tibial shaft fracture: A case series

Background & purpose

Distal tibial Triplane fracture with ipsilateral tibial shaft fracture is a rare but important problem. This rarely reported combination of injuries if not recognised may lead to deleterious consequences.

Methods/Patients

The local database of all emergency admissions was scrutinised to identify subjects before interrogation of the clinical notes and relevant radiographic imaging.

Findings

This paper reports a series of five children who were found to have triplane fracture of the distal tibia with concomitant ipsilateral fracture of the tibial shaft.

Conclusions

We suggest that a high index of suspicion for concomitant fractures should be maintained in the presence of either triplane fracture of the distal tibia or tibial shaft fractures in the peri-adolescent child. Minimum appropriate imaging should include orthogonal full length plain radiographs of the tibia as well as formal ankle radiographs.