• Anja Neugebauer, Oliver J Muensterer, Ulf Buehligen, and Holger Till.
• Department of Pediatric Surgery, University of Leipzig, Oststraße 21-25, 04316, Leipzig, Germany. oliver.muensterer@medizin.uni-leipzig.de.
• Eur J Trauma Emerg S. 2008 Feb 1;34(1):83-7.

AbstractTibial tuberosity fractures are rare and occur mainly in adolescent males during vigorous quadriceps contraction. So far, only ten simultaneous bilateral fractures have been reported. We report the case of a 16-year-old male who avulsed both tibial tuberosities when he landed on his feet after a gymnastics routine. Diagnostic imaging demonstrated Ogden Type IIIA fractures. He underwent bilateral open reduction and screw fixation with a good functional result after 3 months. While closed reduction and percutaneous fixation has been proposed by some, the intraoperative findings in our patient would have prevented correct adaptation of the fragments because of a flap of periosteum impinged in both fracture gaps. This case emphasizes that minimally invasive techniques may sometimes be inappropriate in the management of these types of fractures.

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