Osteochondral Fractures of the Lateral Femoral Trochlea in Young Athletes

METHOD: Between May 2012 and September 2014 cluster of five patients with large osteochondral fractures of the lateral femoral trochlea were treated at our institution. These all occurred in high level male athletes, one at a decathlete and the other four soccer players. The MRI scan showed a characteristic appearance of a large subchondral fracture involving most of the lateral femoral trochlea. All patients were symptomatic. The patients were treated with open reduction and internal fixation using headless compression screws. The operative technique and short term results will be outlined. RESULTS: Fixation appears successful in most cases. CONCLUSION: This appears to be a repetitive trauma related injury that occurs in young high-level athletes.