A Rare Case Of An Isolated Open Anterior Tibial Tuberosity Fracture In An Adult Patient: How we treated it.

Isolated fractures of the anterior tibial tuberosity (ATT) are uncommon, primarily affecting adolescents during sports activities. Open ATT fractures are even rarer, with very few cases reported in the literature. This article presents a unique case of an isolated open ATT fracture in a 34-year-old man following a physical assault involving a sword. The patient sustained a Gustilo-Anderson Type II open knee injury, with radiologic evaluation confirming a displaced avulsion fracture. Surgical management included open reduction, lag screw fixation, and tension band wiring, followed by structured post-operative rehabilitation. The patient demonstrated progressive improvement, achieving full range of motion at three months and returning to full functional capacity at ten months postoperatively, with a Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) of 98. This case underscores the importance of timely diagnosis, appropriate surgical intervention, and structured rehabilitation in achieving optimal outcomes. Additionally, it highlights an unusual mechanism of injury, contributing to the limited literature on isolated open ATT fractures.