Unicondylar osteoarticular allograft reconstruction of the distal femur in a patient with a traumatic osteoaticular defect of the lateral femoral condyle.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to report the clinical results for a patient with a post-traumatic osteoarticular defect of the lateral femoral condyle treated with unicondylar osteoarticular allograft reconstruction.

METHOD: We describe the case with a massive osteoarticular loss of the lateral femoral condyle combined with a grade IIIA open distal femoral diaphyesal fracture. The patient underwent unicondylar osteoarticular reconstruction with an allogenic fresh-frozen condyle.

RESULTS

There were no complications after the reconstructive procedure. At the five year follow-up, the patient showed a favorable clinical outcome with a full range of motion of the knee joint. Degenerative changes were seen in the graft compartment, but they did not cause serious functional limitations.

CONCLUSION

Unicondylar allograft reconstruction appears to be a surgical option for patients who suffer from a post-traumatic distal femoral osteoarticular defect in which only one condyle is absent or severely damaged.