PHTY304 Lecture Notes - Lecture 12: Tuberosity Of The Tibia, Lower Extremity Of Femur, Hyaline Cartilage
Document Summary
Non-articular traction (pulling) apophysitis occurring at the growth plate of the tibial tubercle. An osteochondrosis that is idiopathic, self-limiting (symptoms resolving with skeletal maturity), developmental disorder of secondary ossification centres. Overuse injury caused by traction forces from repetitive muscle contractions (quadriceps via patellar tendon with its inferior portion attaching to tibial tubercle) leading to increased stress across the apophysitis. The active child (10 14 years) will present with gradual onset of localised pain at the tibial tubercle. Running, jumping, squatting and stair climbing will aggravate the active child"s pain. Not adhering to conservative measures means the tibial tuberosity is exposed to repetitive micro-trauma from the pull of quads through the patellar tendon. Repetitive trauma to the tibial tubercle results in tractioning of the bony fragment. Strong quadriceps contraction can avulse the patellar tendon with bone fragments from the tibial tubercle. Osd occurring at growth plate > less resistant to shear forces and more susceptible to damage.
