Treatment Outcomes of Triplane and Tillaux Fractures of the Ankle in Adolescence

BACKGROUND: To identify the fracture configuration and treatment results for patients with triplane and Tillaux fractures in the ankle joint. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed on 14 patients with a more than one year follow-up. This study investigated the fracture configuration, concomitant fibula fracture, treatment methods and complications. The treatment outcomes were analyzed using modified Weber protocol. RESULTS: Among the 14 cases, 11 were triplane fractures and 3 were Tillaux fractures. Seven were two part triplane fractures, and 4 were three part triplane fractures. Eight were lateral triplane fractures, and 3 were medial triplane fractures. A fibula fracture was accompanied by 7. The fibular fracture comprised of oblique fractures in all cases. A closed and open reduction was performed in 6 and 8 cases, respectively. All but one showed excellent treatment outcomes at the final follow-up. Traumatic arthritis developed in 1 case. CONCLUSIONS: Precisely detecting the fracture configuration by computed tomography and understanding the injury mechanism have greatly improved the outcomes of triplane fractures and Tillaux fractures of the ankle in adolescent patients.

Two Part Triplane Fracture with Extention through Medial Malleolus: Four Cases Report / 대한족부족관절학회지

The triplane fracture has been described as a fracture of the distal tibial epiphysis occurring across three planes-sagittal, transverse and coronal. The characteristic pattern of fusion of distal tibial epiphysis explains the special configuration of the fragments in the triplane fracture. According to Dias.Tachdjian classification, triplane fracture is classified two part fracture, three part fracture, four part fracture and two part fracture with extension to the medial malleolus. Among four types, two part triplane fracture with extension to the medial malleolus is a relatively rare injury and generally is not treated by closed reduction. Such fractures should have an anatomic reduction and adequate fixation to restore the joint congruity and obtain an anatomic reduction of the growth plate to prevent a future growth deformity. This is usually best accomplished with an open reduction and screw fixation or k-wire fixation. We experienced two part triplane fracture with extension to medial malleolus and check the CT to define the extent of the injury completely. And then we underwent open reduction and screw fixation for the fracture. As a result, we present four cases of two part triplane fracture with extension with review of related literatures.

Percutaneous Fixation with Cannulated Screws and Ilizarov External Fixator in Triplane Fracture of the Distal Tibial Epiphysis in Children / 대한족부족관절학회지

PURPOSE: To evaluate the result of percutaneous fixation with cannulated screws and Ilizarov external fixator in triplane fracture of the distal tibial epiphysis in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between May 2004 and December 2007, 14 cases with triplane fractures were treated by percutaneous fixation with cannulated screws and Ilizarov external fixator after underwent CT imaging to assess the fracture pattern, articular disruption and to plan further management. Mean age and follow-up period were 14.1 years old and 15 months respectively. RESULTS: There were satisfactory results in all 14 cases that had excellent reduction and stable fixation. All cases regained full range of movement within 6 weeks. CONCLUSION: We obtained satisfactory result after percutaneous fixation with cannulated screws and Ilizarov external fixator in triplane fractures of the distal tibial epiphysis in children.

Extra-articular Triplane Fracuture of the Distal Tibia in Children

PURPOSE: To demonstrate the effectiveness of the conservative treatment which was introduced to the extraarticular triplane fractures of the distal tibia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed radiographs and medical records of eight patients with extraarticular triplane fractures of the tibia. Four patients were treated with closed reduction and internal fixation and the others with closed reduction and plaster. RESULTS: In all patients, the union of fractures was obtained. Although the physes were closed early, there was no angular deformity or leg length discrepancy. CONCLUSION: In case of extraarticular triplane fracture, except for open fracture or failure of closed reduction, conservative treatment yield good result.

Extra-articular Triplane Fracture of Distal Tibial Physis / 대한정형외과학회잡지

We describe an extra-articular triplane fracture of distal tibia in a twelve-year-old boy. This variant of the triplane fracture has been largely ignored in the literature. The clinical significance of recognizing this fracture is that, although it constitutes an epiphyseal fracture, it remains extra-articular. We treated this case by open reduction and internal fixation of both distal tibia and fibula. However, unlike the standard triplane fracture that exits through the tibiot alar joint, this variant may be treated acceptably with less that an anatomical reduction, therefore avoiding the need for surgical management.

A Clinical Study of the Mechanism of Injury of Juvenile Tillaux Fracture and Triplane Fracture / 대한정형외과학회잡지

The juvenile Tillaux fracture and the triplane fracture of the distal end of the tibia in adolescents are considered uncommon injuries and the mechanism of both injuries has been uncertain. It has been postulated that both fractures probably are caused by external rotation of the foot. We atempted to evaluate the mechanism of injury as well as to conform the role of the external rotation of the foot for the juvenile Tillaux fracture and triplane fracture. From 1983 to 1988 at the department of orthopedic surgery, college of medicine, Hallym University, we evaluated the cases of nine adolescent patients with the juvenile Tillaux fracture and nine patients with the triplane fracture of the distal tibial epiphysis. We confirmed that external rotation force produced the triplane fracture as well as juvenile Tillaux fracture. And we could postulate that the triplane fracture needed further external rotation force, less closure of the distal tibial epiphysis, and more complicated mechanism of injury than the juvenile Tillaux fracture. The knowledge of these mechanism of injury enables us to use a rational manipulative approach to reduce these fractures.