23/11/2025
This is an almost missed triplane Salter Harris type 4 distal tibia fracture, sought traditional treatment initially, a near-catastrophic medical error for a young patient.
Thankfully, it was caught early by a very experienced physiotherapist friend. This case is a powerful reminder to all of the importance of considering appropriate specialist consultation or advanced imaging.
fracture is a serious and complex intra-articular fracture that occurs in adolescents, in 3 anatomical planes (coronal, sagittal, and axial), " means it involves the metaphysis, physis (growth plate), and epiphysis, entering the ankle joint.
The cornerstone of treatment is anatomical surgical reduction and stable internal fixation, to provide a smooth joint surface, a functional growth plate, and an excellent long-term outcome, allowing the adolescent to return to their pre-injury level of activity.
