The lateral condyle is one of the two projections on the
lower extremity of the femur
The lower extremity of femur (or distal extremity) is the lower end of the femur (thigh bone) in human and other animals, closer to the knee. It is larger than the upper extremity of femur, is somewhat cuboid in form, but its transverse diameter is ...
. The other one is the
medial condyle. The lateral condyle is the more prominent and is broader both in its front-to-back and transverse diameters.
Clinical significance
The most common injury to the lateral femoral condyle is an osteochondral fracture combined with a patellar dislocation.
The osteochondral fracture occurs on the weight-bearing portion of the lateral condyle. Typically, the condyle will fracture (and the patella may dislocate) as a result of severe impaction from activities such as downhill skiing and parachuting.
[
]Open reduction and internal fixation
Internal fixation is an operation in orthopedics that involves the surgical implementation of implants for the purpose of repairing a bone, a concept that dates to the mid-nineteenth century and was made applicable for routine treatment in the m ...
surgery is typically used to repair an osteochondral fracture. For a Type B1 partial articular fracture of the lateral condyle, interfragmentary lag screws are used to secure the bone back together. Supplementation of buttress screws or a buttress plate is used if the fracture extends to the proximal metaphysis or distal diaphysis.[http://www.proceduresconsult.com/medical-procedures/open-reduction-and-internal-fixation-OR-040-procedure.aspx]
Additional images
File:Knee diagram.png, Knee diagram
File:Gray347.png, Right knee-joint, from the front, showing interior ligaments.
File:Gray439.png, Muscles of the back of the leg. Deep layer.
File:Slide2bib.JPG, Right knee in extension. Deep dissection. Posterior view.
References
External links
*
{{Authority control
Bones of the lower limb
Femur