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Authors

Florian Gebhard, Phil Kregor, Chris Oliver, Markku T Nousiainen

Executive Editor

Chris Colton, Richard Buckley

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33B3.2/.3   Partial articular fracture, frontal/coronal, posterior condyle(s)

General considerations

These posterior fractures may be unicondylar or bicondylar.

In general, partial articular frontal/coronal fractures are not common. They may be associated with ligamentous injuries to the knee. They are challenging to fix in osteoporotic bone. These fractures are often missed as they are not clearly seen in the AP view. A true lateral view or CT scan is necessary to identify the posterior condylar fragment. Posterior subluxation and knee flexion are most often present during the impact. 

33B3.2 Unicondylar posterior (Hoffa)

This injury may affect either the medial or lateral condyle.

33B3.2 Unicondylar posterior (Hoffa)

X-ray by courtesy of Spital Davos, Switzerland, Dr C Ryf and Dr A Leumann.

33B3.2 Unicondylar posterior (Hoffa) X-ray

33B3.3 Bicondylar posterior

This injury affect both condyles.

33B3.3 Bicondylar posterior

X-ray taken from Orozco R et al, (1998) Atlas of Internal Fixation. Used with kind permission.

33B3.3 Bicondylar posterior
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