Module 50, General Medical Level

A three year old white male sustained a fracture of the left proximal tibia while jumping off a chair. The minimally displaced fracture was located in the proximal tibia just below the growth plate. The fracture line could barely be seen but the leg had slightly more valgus than the opposite side.

Question 50A

In a three year old this type of fracture and history should raise a suspicion of none accident trauma and a full skeletal x-ray survey should be obtained.

Question 50B

Appropriate treatment is applying a long leg cast and allowing the child to weight bear as tolerated.

Question 50C

The parents should be reassured that this type of fracture heals very well with almost never having any long term consequence.

Question 50D

This type of fracture is often associated with growth plate injury of the tibia. The child will need to be monitored carefully to make sure that the growth continues normally.

Question 50E

After the child has a cast applied, he should be fitted with and given crutches to use.