Femoral-sided ACL avulsion fracture

Case contributed by Jason Szczepanski
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Twisting knee injury playing ball sports at school.

Patient Data

Age: 10 years
Gender: Male

Normal alignment maintained. Increased density in suprapatellar pouch keeping with joint effusion. 10x5mm bony fragment visible in the intercondylar notch, though a donor site not appreciated.

There is a complete tear of the ACL. Avulsion fracture at the femoral ACL attachment, with displaced bony fragment into the intercondylar region measuring about 0.9cm in long axis. PCL is intact. There is partial tearing of the posterior capsule, with decompression of the hemarthrosis into the posterior soft tissues.

There is mild induration of the posteromedial aspect of the medial meniscus, likely representing of the meniscocapsular attachments. No discrete tears. Medial compartment cartilage is intact.

Medial collateral ligament is intact. Normal pes anserine tendons.

There is a vertically oriented liner hyperintense signal within the posterior horn of the lateral meniscus. No displaced meniscus. There is marked induration of the posterolateral meniscocapsular attachments with partial tear of the posterolateral capsule. Normal popliteus tendon. The popliteofibular ligament is intact. ITB and biceps femoris are intact. Lateral collateral ligament is intact. Normal lateral compartment cartilage.

There is bone edema over the anterior weight bearing femoral condyle and posterior margin of the lateral tibial plateau.

Normal patellofemoral cartilage. Medial and lateral patellofemoral ligaments are intact.

There is a Baker's cyst, decompressing superiorly and measuring 5cm in long axis and 2.4cm transverse. Normal neurovascular structures

Case Discussion

Femoral-sided ACL avulsion fractures in the skeletally immature are extremely rare.

Operative fixation is difficult in this population as it invariably requires a tunnel across the physis, therefore placing the growth plate at risk of arrest in the affected area.

The child subsequently underwent an ACL and medial meniscal repair, with a sub-physeal repair of the ACL with a button to adhere the ligament to its original position.

The child recovered well post operatively and has returned to sports without any ongoing concern.

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