Review of Distal Tibial Epiphyseal Transitional Fractures

The closure of the distal tibial physis occurs over an 18-month period between ages 12 and 15 years. During this time period, children are susceptible to several transitional fractures, so labeled because they are transitioning to skeletal maturity. In the setting of an external rotation force, triplane and Tillaux fractures can occur. These fractures, which present similarly to other Salter-Harris growth plate injuries, do not fit neatly into any 1 classification scheme and are not easily evaluated on plain radiographs. Computed tomography scans are required to optimally assess these fractures and to determine the need for closed vs open treatment. Regardless of which treatment modality is chosen, anatomic reduction is the goal. This article discusses the approach to these unique fractures.