14-year-old takes a fall onto her ankle

Diagnosis: The x-ray shows a subtle line running down through the epiphysis of the tibia into the joint, making this an intra-articular fracture. In addition, note the dramatic widening of the tibial growth plate laterally.
The correct diagnosis is a Salter 3 displaced fracture. The physician performed a reduction, casted, and advised absolutely no weight bearing until further orthopedic reassessment.

This case illustrates that if a patient who still has growth plates cannot ambulate, application of a posterior slab cast is indicated until reassessment by orthopedics.
Case presented by Nahum Kovalski, BSc, MDCM.
[taq_review]

Nahum Kovalski, BSc, MDCM

Clinical Researcher at TEREM Emergency Services