Trends in the Evaluation and Treatment of Tibial Spine Fractures: Perspectives from SAOTI and SEOP Members

Main Article Content

J. Javier Masquijo
Alejandra Ron Marqués
Miguel Carabajal Mattar
Andrés Ferreyra

Abstract

Background: Tibial spine fractures are rare injuries in the pediatric population, leading to ongoing debate regarding the most appropriate diagnostic algorithms and treatment strategies. This study analyzed the practices and preferences of pediatric orthopedic surgeons affiliated with the Argentine Society of Pediatric Orthopedics and Traumatology (SAOTI) and the Spanish Society of Pediatric Orthopedics (SEOP) in managing these fractures.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional online survey consisting of 21 questions was distributed to SAOTI and SEOP members in April 2024. Data were collected on demographics, years of experience, case volume, evaluation methods, decision-making processes, and fixation techniques.
Results: A total of 112 completed responses were obtained (response rate: 28%). Preoperative evaluation was primarily based on radiographs and advanced imaging (99.1% of respondents). The majority of surgeons (58.9%) preferred an arthroscopic approach, with 48.2% using a combination of fixation methods. Surgeons with more than 10 years of experience were more likely to favor surgical treatment for type II fractures. Although nearly 80% of respondents recommended formal postoperative rehabilitation, fewer than one-third routinely used functional testing to determine return-to-sport readiness.
Conclusions: The survey revealed diverse practices and preferences in the evaluation and treatment of tibial spine fractures. These findings highlight the need for further research and standardization to optimize the management of these uncommon injuries.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Metrics

Metrics Loading ...

Article Details

How to Cite
Masquijo, J. J., Ron Marqués, A., Carabajal Mattar, M., & Ferreyra, A. (2025). Trends in the Evaluation and Treatment of Tibial Spine Fractures: Perspectives from SAOTI and SEOP Members. Revista De La Asociación Argentina De Ortopedia Y Traumatología, 90(1), 26-33. https://doi.org/10.15417/issn.1852-7434.2025.90.1.2038
Section
Clinical Research
Author Biographies

J. Javier Masquijo, Department of Pediatric Orthopedics and Traumatology, Sanatorio Allende, Córdoba, Argentina

Department of Pediatric Orthopedics and Traumatology, Sanatorio Allende, Córdoba, Argentina

Alejandra Ron Marqués, Pediatric Orthopedics and Traumatology Unit, Hospital Universitario Donostia San Sebastián, Basque Country, Spain

Pediatric Orthopedics and Traumatology Unit, Hospital Universitario Donostia San Sebastián, Basque Country, Spain

Miguel Carabajal Mattar, Department of Pediatric Orthopedics and Traumatology, Sanatorio Allende, Córdoba, Argentina

Department of Pediatric Orthopedics and Traumatology, Sanatorio Allende, Córdoba, Argentina

Andrés Ferreyra, Department of Pediatric Orthopedics and Traumatology, Sanatorio Allende, Córdoba, Argentina

Department of Pediatric Orthopedics and Traumatology, Sanatorio Allende, Córdoba, Argentina

References

1. Skak SV, Jensen TT, Poulsen TD, Stürup J. Epidemiology of knee injuries in children. Acta Orthop Scand
1987;58(1):78-81. https://doi.org/10.3109/17453678709146348

2. Scrimshire A, Gawad M, Davies R, George H. Management and outcomes of isolated paediatric tibial spine
fractures. Injury 2018;49(2):437-42. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.injury.2017.11.013

3. Meyers M, McKeever F. Fracture of the intercondylar eminence of the tibia. J Bone Joint Surg Am 1959;41(2):209-20. PMID: 13630956

4. Chandler JT, Miller TK. Tibial eminence fracture with meniscal entrapment. Arthroscopy 1995;11(4):499-502.
https://doi.org/10.1016/0749-8063(95)90208-2

5. Mangeaud A, Elías Panigo DH. 2018 R-Medic. Un programa de análisis estadísticos sencillo e intuitivo. Revista
Methodo 2018;3(1):18-22. https://doi.org/10.22529/me.2018.3(1)05

6. Mayo MH, Mitchell JJ, Axibal DP, Chahla J, Palmer C, Vidal AF, et al. Anterior cruciate ligament injury at the time of anterior tibial spine fracture in young patients: An observational cohort study. J Pediatr Orthop 2019;39(9):e668-e673. https://doi.org/10.1097/BPO.0000000000001011

7. Severyns M, Odri GA, Vendeuvre T, Marchand JB, Germaneau A, Dramé M. Meniscal injuries in skeletally
immature children with tibial eminence fractures. Systematic review of literature. Int Orthop 2023;47(10):2439-48. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-023-05787-w

8. Rhodes JT, Cannamela PC, Cruz AI, Mayo M, Styhl AC, Richmond CG, et al. Incidence of meniscal entrapment
and associated knee injuries in tibial spine avulsions. J Pediatr Orthop 2018;38(2):e38-e42. https://doi.org/10.1097/BPO.0000000000001110

9. Tibial Spine Research Interest Group; Orellana KJ, Houlihan NV, Carter MV, Baghdadi S, Baldwin K, Stevens AC,
et al. Tibial spine fractures in the child and adolescent athlete: A systematic review and meta-análisis. Am J Sports Med 2024;52(5):1357-66. https://doi.org/10.1177/03635465231175674

10. Callanan M, Allen J, Flutie B, Tepolt F, Miller PE, Kramer D, et al. Suture versus screw fixation of tibial spine
fractures in children and adolescents: A comparative study. Orthop J Sports Med 2019;7(11):2325967119881961.
https://doi.org/10.1177/2325967119881961

11. Chang CJ, Huang TC, Hoshino Y, Wang CH, Kuan FC, Su WR, et al. Functional outcomes and subsequent surgical procedures after arthroscopic suture versus screw fixation for ACL tibial avulsion fractures: A systematic review and meta-análisis. Orthop J Sports Med 2022;10(4):23259671221085945. https://doi.org/10.1177/23259671221085945

12. Patel NM, Park MJ, Sampson NR, Ganley TJ. Tibial eminence fractures in children: earlier posttreatment
mobilization results in improved outcomes. J Pediatr Orthop 2012;32(2):139-44. https.//doi.org/10.1097/BPO.0b013e318242310a

13. Bram JT, Aoyama JT, Mistovich RJ, Ellis HB Jr, Schmale GA, Yen YM, et al. Four risk factors for arthrofibrosis
in tibial spine fractures: A National 10-Site Multicenter Study. Am J Sports Med 2020;48(12):2986-93.
https://doi.org/10.1177/0363546520951192

14. Tibial Spine Research Group; Prasad N, Aoyama JT, Ganley TJ, Ellis HB Jr, Mistovich RJ, Yen YM, et al. A comparison of nonoperative and operative treatment of type 2 tibial spine fractures. Orthop J Sports Med
2021;9(1):2325967120975410. https://doi.org/10.1177/2325967120975410