The injury was initially diagnosed as a medial collateral ligament sprain, and radiographs were negative. Stress radiographic views or MRI is diagnostic of distal femoral physeal fracture, and a positive diagnosis should prompt referral.
Complications can occur even with nondisplaced fractures.
Thus it is important to exclude this fracture before starting treatment. The following case report emphasizes the importance of considering distal femoral physeal fracture in any skeletally immature athlete who presents with posttraumatic valgus knee instability and tenderness at the distal femoral growth plate. He described immediate disability and swelling but was able to limp off the field. He denied hearing a pop and had no history of earlier knee injury. He was evaluated on the sidelines and held out for the remainder of the game.