Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40986058›Full record

SynthesisEuropean journal of trauma and emergency surgery : official publication of the European Trauma Society2025

Pediatric knee avulsion fractures: A systematic review of injury patterns, treatment strategies, and outcomes.

Yasmin Youssef, Lukas F Heilmann, Nils Mühlenfeld, Bastian Mester, Johannes Weber, Kai Fehske, Orla Klatte, Doreen Schneidmüller, Peter Strohm, Ralf Henkelmann

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in European journal of trauma and emergency surgery : official publication of the European Trauma Society, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Yasmin YoussefKlinik für Orthopädie, Unfallchirurgie und Plastische Chirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Leipzig, Liebigstr. 20, Leipzig, 04103, Germany. Yasmin.youssef@medizin.uni-leipzig.de.
Lukas F HeilmannKlinik und Poliklinik für Unfallchirurgie und Orthopädie, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
Nils MühlenfeldKlinik für Orthopädie und Unfallchirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Freiburg, Breisgau, Germany.
Bastian MesterKlinik für Unfall-, Hand- und Wiederherstellungschirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Essen, Essen, Germany.
Johannes WeberKlinik und Poliklinik für Unfallchirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
Kai FehskeKlinik für Orthopädie und Unfallchirurgie, Johanniter-Waldkrankenhaus Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
Orla KlatteKlinik für Orthopädie und Unfallchirurgie, Albertinen Krankenhaus Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany.
Doreen SchneidmüllerBG Unfallklinik Murnau, Murnau am Staffelsee, Germany.
Peter StrohmKlinik für Orthopädie und Unfallchirurgie, Klinikum Bamberg, Bamberg, Germany.
Ralf HenkelmannKlinik für Orthopädie, Unfallchirurgie und Plastische Chirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Leipzig, Liebigstr. 20, Leipzig, 04103, Germany.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe purpose of this systematic review was to analyze the existing literature on pediatric knee avulsion fractures regarding injury patterns, treatment strategies, and clinical outcomes. We aimed to identify evidence gaps and highlight the need for standardized diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for these clinically relevant injuries.

methodsThe systematic review was registered on PROSPERO and conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. A comprehensive search of PubMed and Cochrane databases was performed to identify peer-reviewed studies focusing exclusively on pediatric patients with avulsion fractures of the knee. Data on patient characteristics, treatment strategies, and clinical outcomes were extracted for qualitative analysis.

resultsEighty-three studies, comprising 1,676 patients (mean age 13.1 years), were included. The majority were case reports or case series, with an overall low level of evidence. Heterogeneity in treatment approaches, follow-up, and outcome measures limited comparability and precluded meta-analysis. Tibial eminence fractures (32.5%) and tibial tubercle fractures (18.1%) were most described, followed by rare injuries such as patellar avulsions, PCL and ACL avulsions. Surgical treatment is predominated, typically involving screw or suture fixation. Notably, tibial eminence fractures frequently presented with concomitant meniscal or chondral injuries (up to 40%), prompting recommendations for routine MRI diagnostics. Postoperative outcomes were generally favorable, with high rates of full range of motion and return to sport.

conclusionPediatric knee avulsion fractures show diverse injury patterns with limited evidence on optimal management. Despite generally favorable outcomes, data heterogeneity and the lack of standardized treatment underscore the need for multicenter prospective studies. Future research should aim to establish evidence-based diagnostic and therapeutic protocols.

Indexed as

Fractures, AvulsionKnee InjuriesTibial FracturesAdolescentChildFracture Fixation, InternalHumansTreatment OutcomeACLAdolescentAvulsion fractureEminence fractureKneePediatric avulsion fractures

Identifiers

PMID40986058
PMCPMC12457467

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.