Hoffa Fracture of Medial Femoral Condyle in a 9-Year-Old Child: A Case Report

ABSTRACT

Hoffa fractures are intra-articular fractures of the distal femoral condyles in coronal plane. These fractures may be of either condylebut lateral condyle is most commonly affected and medial condyle is extremely rare. Non-operative treatment of unicondylarfemur fractures, including Hoffa fractures, yields poor result. We present a case of 9-year-old child with Hoffa fracture of medialfemoral condyle with understanding of the mechanism of injury and its further management. He had history of fall from height ofabout 5 feet on his right knee which was in flexed position at around 90°. X-ray of knee showed fracture of medial femoral condylein coronal plane. Three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of computed tomography (CT) scan confirmed the coronal fracture ofmedial femoral condyle and was classified as Type 33 B3 according to orthopedic trauma association classification and Type 1as per Letenneur classification. Open reduction and internal fixation were performed with partially threaded cancellous screws.The fixation of coronal fracture of medial femoral condyle done through cancellous screws in anterior to posterior direction wasadequate in giving stable fixation and aided in union without disturbing the physis of the child. At 1 year, the child could do fullextension and 130° flexion. There was no posterior or varus, valgus instability of the knee. We believe that a medial condyleHoffa fracture is extremely rare in children, and the diagnosis can be missed. ORIF using partially threaded cancellous screwsin the epiphysis provides stable fixation and can lead to a good functional outcome in the long term. The mechanism of injuryin this fracture pattern was found to be direct impact on the knee in flexed position of 90°.