Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Surgical treatment of lateral Hoffa fracture with a locking plate through the lateral approach

  • Original Article
  • Published:
European Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery & Traumatology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objectives

The goal of this study is to determine the efficacy of the surgical treatment of lateral Hoffa fracture with a locking plate and cannulated or lag screws through the lateral approach.

Materials and methods

A total of 12 isolated lateral Hoffa fractures were identified during the study period (February 2005 to February 2010). All fractures were treated by open reduction through the lateral approach. Internal fixation was performed with a contoured locking plate and cannulated or lag screws introduced from the non-weight-bearing area of the cartilage surface of the lateral femoral condyle. Radiological and functional outcome analysis was performed using Knee Society scores.

Results

Bony union of Hoffa fracture was achieved in all patients. The articular surface of lateral femoral condyle was anatomically reduced. There was no loss of reduction and fixation. Functional outcome of knee measurements showed a continuous significant improvement over the follow-up period.

Conclusion

Fixation with a locking plate and cannulated or lag screws for lateral Hoffa fracture seemed to be effective and reliable. The lateral approach had advantages for reduction and fixation of lateral Hoffa fracture during operation.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Papadopoulos AX, Panagopoulos A, Karageorgos A, Tyllianakis M (2004) Operative treatment of unilateral bicondylar Hoffa Fractures. J Orthop Trauma 18(2):119–122

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Liebergall M, Wilber JH, Mosheiff R, Segal D (2000) Gerdy’s tubercle osteotomy for the treatment of coronal fractures of the lateral femoral condyle. J Orthop Trauma 14(3):214–215

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Lal H, Bansal P, Khare R, Mittal D (2011) Conjoint bicondylar Hoffa fracture in a child: a rare variant treated by minimally invasive approach. J Orthop Trauma 12(2):111–114

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Lewis SL, Pozo JL, Muirhead-Allwood WFG (1989) Coronal fractures of the lateral femoral condyle. J Bone Joint Surg 71(1):118–120

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Jarit GJ, Kummer FJ, Gibber MJ, Egol KA (2006) A mechanical evaluation of two fixation methods using cancellous screws for coronal fractures of the lateral condyle of the distal femur (OTA type 33B). J Orthop Trauma 20(4):273–276

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Chang JJ, Fan JC, Lam HY, Cheung KY, Chu VW, Fung KY (2010) Treatment of an osteoporotic Hoffa fracture. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 18(6):784–786

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Letenneur J, Labour PE, Rogez JM, Lignon J, Bainvel JV (1978) Fractures de Hoffa: a propos de 20 observations. Ann Chir 32:213–219

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Marsh JL, Slongo TF, Agel J et al (2007) Fracture and dislocation classification compendium-2007. J Orthop Trauma 21(Suppl):S1–S133

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Mak W, Hunter J, Escobedo E (2008) Hoffa fracture of the femoral condyle. J Radiol Case Rep 3:1–5

    Google Scholar 

  10. Cai CY, Dong YL, Huang YJ, Yang GJ (2012) Treatment of Hoffa fracture using hollow lag screw. Zhongguo Gu Shang 25(5):435–437

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Gavaskar AS, Tummala NC, Krishnamurthy M (2011) Operative management of Hoffa fractures—a prospective review of 18 patients. Injury 42(12):1495–1498

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Conflict of interest

No conflicts of interest exist in this study.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. The First Clinical Medical College, Nanjing Medical University, 140, Hanzhong Road, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu, China

    Jieming Shi

  2. Department of Orthopaedics, School of Medicine, Shanghai First People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 650, Xinsongjiang Road, Shanghai, 201620, China

    Jie Tao, Zihui Zhou & Mingjie Gao

Authors
  1. Jieming Shi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Jie Tao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Zihui Zhou
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Mingjie Gao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jie Tao.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Shi, J., Tao, J., Zhou, Z. et al. Surgical treatment of lateral Hoffa fracture with a locking plate through the lateral approach. Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol 24, 587–592 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00590-013-1224-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00590-013-1224-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation