Reviewing Current Concepts in Distal Tibial Physeal Injuries: New Twists and Old Turns?

Distal tibial physeal injuries are common in children accounting for a significant proportion of the paediatric trauma. They are commonest between the years of 10-16, temporally related to the timing of physeal closure. They are strongly associated with sporting activities where there are significant sudden changes in direction with resulting force applied through the distal physis. This article reviews the anatomy, pathophysiology, imaging, classification systems and management of these injuries. Salter Harris, Tillaux and triplanar fractures are discussed. This article, in addition to informing the reader of the above, we hope will also update the reader of relevant new twists in management strategy as well as re-visit the old turns that have provided the main stay of orthopaedic surgical understanding of these injuries.