Unrecognized Isolated Medial Trochlear Fracture Leading to Malunion: A Case Report

A twenty-year-old woman presented with an isolated intra-articular fracture of the medial part of the trochlea twelve weeks after a traumatic fall. The fracture had gone undetected during the initial twelve weeks following injury, resulting in an anteriorly and superiorly displaced malunion and severe range-of-motion restrictions of the elbow.

Vigilant clinical examination is imperative to avoid missing this uncommon fracture pattern and complication. Prompt surgical management is necessary to ensure that adequate healing is achieved and to avoid unnecessary complications. This case report demonstrates that an excellent clinical outcome can be achieved with intra-articular osteotomy and anatomic fixation of the malunited segment.