title: Open reduction of a lateral femoral notch associated with an acute anterior cruciate ligament tear.
abstract: The lateral notch is a radiographic sign that describes a depression in the lateral femoral condyle near the terminal sulcus. The sign was first described in association with chronic instability in an anterior cruciate ligament-deficient knee. Recently, the senior author, after a prospective study, reported that these lateral notches might occur acutely at the time of anterior cruciate ligament injury. We report such a case in which the lateral femoral condylar depression fracture resulted in symptoms of lateral compartment incongruity. Open reduction and internal fixation were required. Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction was performed as a staged procedure 2 months after fracture reduction. The postoperative result has been excellent for over 5 years. This case is an example that lateral femoral notches may be acute and a source of symptoms. In some cases, reduction and fixation of significant depressions in association with ligament reconstruction can alleviate these symptoms and may improve the patient's long-term result.
authors.affiliation: Sports Medicine Institute, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA. William.Garth@ortho.uab.edu
authors.forename: W P
authors.initials: WP
authors.lastname: Garth
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wilson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D000070598:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries; D001182:Arthroscopy; D001490:Basketball / Q000293:injuries*; D016025:Bone Transplantation / Q000379:methods; D005264:Femoral Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D005269:Femur / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint; D008297:Male; D008592:Menisci, Tibial / Q000601:surgery*; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000379:methods; D011859:Radiography; D013710:Tendons / Q000637:transplantation; D000070600:Tibial Meniscus Injuries