Arthroscopic treatment of a large lateral femoral notch in acute anterior cruciate ligament tear

Arch Orthop Trauma Surg. 2008 Nov;128(11):1313-6. doi: 10.1007/s00402-007-0535-0. Epub 2007 Dec 4.

Abstract

A 24-year-old professional soccer player suffered an acute anterior cruciate ligament tear associated with a radiologically evident impression fracture of the lateral femoral condyle, the so-called "lateral femoral notch sign". Following MRI validation of the injury with detection of an additional lateral meniscus tear, arthroscopy was carried out 3 days after the injury. Due to the extended impression of about 5 mm, arthroscopically assisted closed reduction of the depression fracture was performed. A 3.2 mm tunnel was drilled at the lateral femoral condyle in a supero-inferior direction using an ACL tibial guide and the depressed area could be restored using an elevator. The resulting subchondral bone defect in the femoral condyle was filled with freeze-dried human cancellous bone allograft. As a one-stage procedure ACL reconstruction was carried out using a hamstring tendon technique. At 1-year follow up the patient has returned to full sporting function, including playing soccer with a radiographically reduced lateral femoral notch sign.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries*
  • Arthroscopy
  • Bone Transplantation
  • Femoral Fractures / diagnostic imaging
  • Femoral Fractures / surgery*
  • Femur / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Knee Injuries / diagnostic imaging
  • Knee Injuries / surgery*
  • Radiography
  • Recovery of Function
  • Soccer / injuries
  • Tendons / transplantation
  • Young Adult