Characterization of patients with isolated Busch-Hoffa fractures. Case series
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.58814/01208845.548Keywords:
Hoffa Fracture, Femoral Condyle Fractures, Lysholm ScaleAbstract
Introduction: Busch-Hoffa fractures are rare, unstable injuries of the posterior femoral condyle. Due to their low incidence and the complexity of their initial diagnosis, a detailed understanding of their clinical patterns is essential to optimize surgical management.
Objective: To describe the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, including complications and treatment outcomes, of patients with isolated of Busch-Hoffa fractures treated at Hospital Sirio Libanes in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Methodology: Retrospective work; case series; database of patients diagnosed with isolated Hoffa fractures between January 2017 and February 2021.
Results: 12 patients met the inclusion criteria, 6 with type I and III isolated medial femoral condyle fractures, and 6 with type I, II and III isolated lateral femoral condyle fractures, according to the Letenneur classification. The mean age was 39 years (3 women and 9 men). Functional assessment at one year postoperatively using the Lysholm score showed excellent results in 10 patients, good in 1 and fair in 1. A total of 2 complications were recorded, 1 case of infection requiring a surgical debridement; and 1 case of pseudarthrosis requiring revision surgery. Both patients had favorable outcomes with subsequent fracture consolidation.
Conclusion: Busch-Hoffa fractures were more common in men, and most occurred following a traffic accident, consistent with findings in the international literature. Unlike what has been reported in the literature, fractures occurred in both condyles in equal proportions. The complication rate was low, and short-term functional outcomes were satisfactory, with high scores on the SF-12 questionnaire and excellent and good results on the Lysholm-Tegner scale for most patients.
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