Intercondylar Eminence Fractures Workup

  • Author: Brett D Owens, MD; Chief Editor: Harris Gellman, MD   more...
 
Updated: Jul 15, 2011
 

Imaging Studies

Plain radiographs of the knee are usually diagnostic for intercondylar eminence fractures. Although the anteroposterior view usually underrepresents the degree of comminution and displacement, the lateral view provides sufficient information. See images below.

Tunnel view of intercondylar eminence fracture. Tunnel view of intercondylar eminence fracture. Anteroposterior radiograph of intercondylar eminenAnteroposterior radiograph of intercondylar eminence fracture.

Computed tomography (CT) scan studies are usually are not necessary in skeletally immature patients unless the fracture is highly comminuted or extends into the weight-bearing plateaus. CT scan studies are indicated for all adult patients to evaluate the integrity of the plateaus.

Sagittal computed tomography scan of an intercondySagittal computed tomography scan of an intercondylar eminence fracture. Sagittal computed tomography scan of an intercondySagittal computed tomography scan of an intercondylar eminence fracture. Coronal computed tomography scan of an intercondylCoronal computed tomography scan of an intercondylar eminence fracture. Coronal computed tomography scan of an intercondylCoronal computed tomography scan of an intercondylar eminence fracture.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is usually not necessary unless concomitant ligamentous or meniscal pathology is suspected.

Proceed to Treatment & Management
 
 
Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Brett D Owens, MD  Associate Professor of Surgery, F Edward Hebert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences

Brett D Owens, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, and Society of Military Orthopaedic Surgeons

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Troilus Plante, MD  University of Massachusetts Medical School

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Brian D Busconi, MD  Associate Professor, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Massachusetts Memorial Health Care

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Robert D Bronstein, MD  Associate Professor, Department of Orthopedics, Division of Athletic Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine

Robert D Bronstein, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, Arthroscopy Association of North America, and Medical Society of the State of New York

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD  Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Medscape Salary Employment

Thomas M DeBerardino, MD  Associate Professor, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Consulting Surgeon, Sports Medicine, Arthroscopy and Reconstruction of the Knee, Hip and Shoulder, Team Physician, Orthopedic Consultant to UConn Department of Athletics, University of Connecticut Health Center

Thomas M DeBerardino, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Orthopaedic Association, and American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine

Disclosure: Arthrex, Inc. Grant/research funds Other; Arthrex, Inc. Consulting fee Speaking and teaching; Genzyme Biosurgery. Inc. Grant/research funds Other; Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation Grant/research funds Other; Histogenics Grant/research funds None

Dinesh Patel, MD, FACS  Associate Clinical Professor of Orthopedic Surgery, Harvard Medical School; Chief of Arthroscopic Surgery, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital

Dinesh Patel, MD, FACS is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Harris Gellman, MD  Consulting Surgeon, Broward Hand Center; Voluntary Clinical Professor of Orthopedic Surgery and Plastic Surgery, Departments of Orthopedic Surgery and Surgery, University of Miami, Leonard M Miller School of Medicine

Harris Gellman, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Medical Acupuncture, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Orthopaedic Association, American Society for Surgery of the Hand, and Arkansas Medical Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

References

  1. Meyers MH, McKeever FM. Fracture of the intercondylar eminence of the tibia. J Bone Joint Surg Am. Mar 1959;41-A(2):209-20; discussion 220-2. [Medline].

  2. Zaricznyj B. Avulsion fracture of the tibial eminence: treatment by open reduction and pinning. J Bone Joint Surg Am. Dec 1977;59(8):1111-4. [Medline].

  3. Wiley JJ, Baxter MP. Tibial spine fractures in children. Clin Orthop Relat Res. Jun 1990;54-60. [Medline].

  4. Burstein DB, Viola A, Fulkerson JP. Entrapment of the medial meniscus in a fracture of the tibial eminence. Arthroscopy. 1988;4(1):47-50. [Medline].

  5. Lowe J, Chaimsky G, Freedman A. The anatomy of tibial eminence fractures: arthroscopic observations following failed closed reduction. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2002;84-A:1933-8. [Medline].

  6. Matthews DE, Geissler WB. Arthroscopic suture fixation of displaced tibial eminence fractures. Arthroscopy. Aug 1994;10(4):418-23. [Medline].

  7. Delcogliano A, Chiossi S, Caporaso A. Tibial intercondylar eminence fractures in adults: arthroscopic treatment. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. Jul 2003;11(4):255-9. [Medline].

  8. Owens BD, Crane GK, Plante T. Treatment of type III tibial intercondylar eminence fractures in skeletally immature athletes. Am J Orthop. Feb 2003;32(2):103-5. [Medline].

  9. Yang SW, Lu YC, Teng HP. Arthroscopic reduction and suture fixation of displaced tibial intercondylar eminence fractures in adults. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg. May 2005;125(4):272-6. [Medline].

  10. Bonin N, Jeunet L, Obert L, Dejour D. Adult tibial eminence fracture fixation: arthroscopic procedure using K-wire folded fixation. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. Jul 2007;15(7):857-62. [Medline].

  11. Horibe S, Shi K, Mitsuoka T. Nonunited avulsion fractures of the intercondylar eminence of the tibia. Arthroscopy. Oct 2000;16(7):757-62. [Medline].

  12. Louis ML, Guillaume JM, Toth C, Launay F, Jouve JL, Bollini G. [Fracture of the intercondylar eminence of the tibia type II in children: 20 surgically-treated cases]. Rev Chir Orthop Reparatrice Appar Mot. Feb 2007;93(1):56-62. [Medline].

  13. Park HJ, Urabe K, Naruse K, Aikawa J, Fujita M, Itoman M. Arthroscopic evaluation after surgical repair of intercondylar eminence fractures. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg. Nov 2007;127(9):753-7. [Medline].

  14. Binnet MS, Gürkan I, Yilmaz C. Arthroscopic fixation of intercondylar eminence fractures using a 4-portal technique. Arthroscopy. May 2001;17(5):450-60. [Medline].

 
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Meyers and McKeever classification of type I, II, and III intercondylar eminence fracture injuries.
Arthroscopic photo of intercondylar eminence fracture after hematoma evacuation.
Arthroscopic photo of intercondylar eminence fracture.
Tunnel view of intercondylar eminence fracture.
Anteroposterior radiograph of intercondylar eminence fracture.
Lateral radiograph of a type II intercondylar eminence fracture in a 16-year-old patient.
Sagittal computed tomography scan of an intercondylar eminence fracture.
Sagittal computed tomography scan of an intercondylar eminence fracture.
Coronal computed tomography scan of an intercondylar eminence fracture.
Coronal computed tomography scan of an intercondylar eminence fracture.
 
 
 
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