Some common eponymous fractures - overview
This section summarises five named fractures frequently seen in exams and in ED practice: Tillaux, Maisonneuve, Lisfranc, Galeazzi and the Jones fracture (base of the 5th metatarsal).
For each injury you will find: a concise definition, typical mechanism and patient group, key clinical signs, recommended imaging and immediate ED priorities, triggers for urgent orthopaedic referral, and common exam pitfalls.
Management advice follows the UK fracture guidance framework (NICE NG38 for non‑complex fractures; NICE NG37 for complex/intra‑articular paediatric and adult fractures). Syndesmosis fixation options are covered by NICE interventional guidance (IPG521) and midfoot open‑fracture timing by NICE quality standards (QS166).
RCEMLearning resources are cited for ED‑focused practical points.
Quick comparison
Tillaux fracture
What it is and why it matters
A Tillaux fracture is a Salter‑Harris type III fracture through the anterolateral distal tibial epiphysis that extends into the ankle joint. It occurs near skeletal maturity and is intra‑articular; anatomical reduction is important to restore the joint surface and reduce the risk of post‑traumatic arthritis and growth disturbance.
Key points
- Typical patient: adolescent (≈12-14 years), within about 1 year of distal tibial physis closure.
- Mechanism: external rotation of the foot - the anterior inferior tibiofibular ligament avulses the anterolateral epiphyseal fragment.
- Rare in adults: with mature physes the ligament usually fails rather than avulsing bone.