Tibial Tuberosity Fracture in an Elderly Gentleman: An Unusual Injury Pattern

Abstract

Avulsion fracture of the tibial tuberosity is an infrequent injury in adolescents and an extremely rare occurrence in adults. We describe the case of an 86-year-old gentleman presenting after a fall, sustaining injury to the left knee. Radiographs of the left knee showed avulsion fracture of the tibial tuberosity. The purpose of this study was to present a rare case of tibial tuberosity avulsion fracture in an adult, the treatment performed, and the challenges faced. The case is discussed with the review of the literature.

Extensor mechanism reconstruction and joint preservation surgery following a tibial tuberosity fracture in giant cell tumor of bone: A case report

“…An isolated tibial tuberosity fracture in an adult is very uncommon. Our literature search revealed only five reports describing this injury in normal bone, three in Paget's disease of bone and in one case involving a Giant Cell Tumor of bone [2] , [5] , [8] , [9] , [10] , [11] , [12] , [13] , [14] . Table 1 .…”

“… Study Year Comorbidity Sex Age (yrs) Mechanism of injury Fixation method Kanawati and Lorentzos [14] . 2009 Nil F 88 Low energy fall Cannulated Screw and Tension Band Wiring Hirschmann et al [12] 2009 Nil F 81 Knee gave away while descending stairs Screws and Arthrex FibreWire® Pires e Albuquerque et al [11] 2013 Nil M 62 Direct trauma Cannulated Screws 6.5 mm Parinyakhup and Boonriong [2] 2020 Nil F 64 Direct trauma Arthrex FibreWire® Brown et al [13] 2020 Nil M 86 Low energy fall Screw and Arthrex Corkscrew® Suture Anchor Coombes W [10] . 1972 PDB M 32 Low energy fall Sutures through the bone Douglas D.L.…”

A novel technique of tibial tuberosity fracture fixation with two knotless suture anchors in an adult: A case report and literature review

“…Tibial tuberosity fractures (TTF) are rare fractures and have been reported to account for 0.4% to 2.7% of all epiphyseal injuries in adolescents and less than 1% of all physeal injuries. 1 , 2 Most of these fractures are avulsion fractures caused by the strong contraction of the quadriceps muscle during jumping or landing. 1 , 3 , 4 Due to this fracture mechanism, TTF occur more frequently in adolescents when the muscles and tendons are stronger than the growth plates.…”

“… 1 , 2 Most of these fractures are avulsion fractures caused by the strong contraction of the quadriceps muscle during jumping or landing. 1 , 3 , 4 Due to this fracture mechanism, TTF occur more frequently in adolescents when the muscles and tendons are stronger than the growth plates. 2 Therefore, TTF in adults are rare, and only a few cases have been reported, including cases in which fractures were caused by direct trauma.…”

“… 2 Therefore, TTF in adults are rare, and only a few cases have been reported, including cases in which fractures were caused by direct trauma. 1 , 5 , 6 …”