Tibial tubercle avulsion

Written by Dr Sheila Strover on March 14, 2025

Tibial tubercle avulsion is when the attachment of the patellar tendon to the tibia is torn off, together with a fragment of bone.

Epiphyseal traction

This is an injury more common in adolescents, when the epiphysis of the tibial tubercle (the growth region) has not yet fully fused with the tibia via mature bone.

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Peer-reviewed papers

  • Quote:

    "Misdiagnosis or delayed treatment of [tibial tubercle avulsion fractures] can often result in nonunion, functional impairment, and persistent pain....a stable and quick fixation associated to specialized rehabilitation are crucial for recovery."

    Citation: Pedrazzini A, Maserati I, Cesaro G, Visigalli A, Casalini D, Bertoni N, Yewo SH, Pogliacomi F. Tibial tubercle avulsion fracture during sport activities in adolescent: a case report. Acta Biomed. 2022 Mar 10;92(S3):e2021571. doi: 10.23750/abm.v92iS3.12580. PMID: 35604251; PMCID: PMC9437667.

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