Premature Physeal Closure Following Pediatric Ankle Physis Fractures

Background: Since there is no consensus on the risk factors of premature physeal closure (PPC) or on its incidence after pediatric ankle physis fractures, we studied these issues. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed a cohort of children younger than 16 years admitted to a single university hospital in Switzerland for an ankle physis fracture between 2004 and 2023. Demographic and radiological data were collected, fractures were classified using the Salter-Harris (SH) and Dias-Tachdjian classifications, and statistical analyses included the Fisher exact test for the statistical significance of correlations. Results: < 0.002). Conclusion: The risk of growth disorders after ankle physis fractures is low, but younger age, prereduction physeal gap, and SH IV fractures seem to constitute risk factors for PPC. Proving the statistical correlations between these potential risk factors and PPC will require larger populations. Level of evidence: III, retrospective cohort study. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.