Coronal fractures of the medial femoral condyle: a series of 6 cases and review of literature

Isolated coronal fracture of medial femoral condyle with intact lateral femoral condyle is extremely rare. We present our experience with such 6 cases of coronal fractures of medial femoral condyle. We reviewed all case records of cases of coronal fractures of femoral condyle which presented to our centre from Jan 2000 to Jun 2009. Of 72 such cases, 56 were of lateral condyle, 9 were bicondylar, and 7 were only medial femoral condyle fractures. However, one of the 7 cases was a skeletally immature child with a physeal injury and hence excluded. All the 6 patients with medial femoral condyle fractures were retrospectively evaluated both clinically and radiologically. Of the 6 patients with medial condyle fractures, three patients had an isolated medial femoral condyle fracture, while three of them had associated fractures. Four of these patients were identified at the initial presentation. However, the fracture was missed during initial evaluation in one of the patients, while another patient presented with neglected medial Hoffa fracture after 6 months of injury. Mechanism of injury was direct impact to the medial side of knee in flexion in 4 out of 6 cases. All cases were operated through medial or antero-medial approach, and fixation was achieved in all with antero-posterior screws. All cases united at a mean period of 4.6 months. Coronal fractures of the medial femoral condyle are very rare, and there is a highly likelihood of these fractures being missed by an average orthopaedic surgeon. A high index of suspicion is necessary for early diagnosis especially in cases of undisplaced fractures. Being intra-articular, the ideal management includes open reduction and internal fixation. Medial or antero-medial approach with antero-posterior screws is the preferred method for fixation.