Uncommon Floating Knee in a Teenager: A Case Report of Ipsilateral Physeal Fractures in Distal Femur and Proximal Tibia

• Published in: Journal of orthopaedic case reports 2017-03, Vol.7 (2), p.90-93
• Main Authors: Othman, Youssef, Hassini, Lassaad, Fekih, Aymen, Aloui, Issam, Abid, Abderrazek
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Case Report
• ISSN: 2250-0685; 2321-3817
• DOI: 10.13107/jocr.2250-0685.766

The concomitance of ipsilateral physeal fractures of the distal femur and the proximal tibia is an extremely scarce entity. It is conceptually similar to floating knee in the pediatric population. One case with this injury is reported in a 16-year-old teenager. He was treated surgically by close reduction and internal fixation. The diagnosis of the tibial fracture was initially missed, and the fracture was seen on the post-operative radiographs. Orthopedic treatment was made for this injury. 2 years after, no angular deformity neither shortening of the limb were found. These rare injuries could have serious immediate and remote complication with a considerable functional impact. The diagnosis of proximal tibia physeal fracture could be missed in the context of a concomitant more impressive distal femur fracture. The possibility of a combination of these two injuries should then be kept in mind. Anatomic reduction should be made as soon as possible using a gentle technique, and attention should be given to the diagnosis of the neurovascular complications.