Femoral-sided fracture-dislocation of the knee.

OBJECTIVE

To document a previously undescribed fracture-dislocation of the knee that involves a femoral condyle and associated ligaments yet spares the tibial joint surface.

DESIGN

Retrospective.

SETTING

University.

PATIENTS: Four cases of fracture-dislocation of the knee that involve ligamentous injury and fracture of the femoral condyle(s).

RESULTS

At a minimum two-year follow-up (average 28.8 months, range 26 to 37 months), overall functional outcome is only fair to good in this injury pattern. The Lysholm knee rating averaged 60 (range 39 to 74) and KT-1000 I-N testing averaged three millimeters at thirty pounds.

CONCLUSION

Despite treatment of this fracture-dislocation with internal fixation of the femoral condyle(s) and repair of the ligament(s), functional deficits occur in this severe knee injury patterns.