Tibial Spine Fracture Type I in a 6 Years Old Patient: Complications and Treatment

Author(s): Philippe Nicolini

A tibial spine fracture is bony avulsion of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) from its insertion on the intercondylar eminence. It was first described by Antonin Poncet in 1875. It occur most commonly in skeletally immature patients between the ages of 8 and 14 years [1] with a higher proportion of males (69%) compared with females (31%) [2]. It represents 2% to 5% of knee injuries with effusion in the pediatric population [3] and 14% of ACL injuries [4]. The incidence of 3 per 100,000 children per year [5]. The mechanism of injury is similar to that of ACL rupture [1]. Bone breaks before ligament rupture due to incomplete ossification of the tibial eminence.