Operative treatment of displaced Salter-Harris III distal tibial fractures.
Displaced, isolated Salter-Harris III fractures of the distal tibia are infrequent. Typically, the mechanism of injury is an external rotation stress to the adolescent ankle. The distal tibial growth plate fuses from medial to lateral during adolescence. If the anterior tibiofibular ligament remains intact, lateral distal epiphysis of the tibia. Closed reduction of displaced fractures is usually unsuccessful. In 5 displaced fractures, periosteal flaps were frequently found to have blocked closed reduction. Follow-up evaluation after open reduction and internal fixation revealed anatomic healing and normal ankle strength.