[Ligamentous tears associated with tibial condylar fractures (author's transl)]

In fractures of the tibial condyles, associated ligamentous tears may be discovered by the presence of additional bone fragments, by stress radiographs or by tomography. Two types of lesion were found among the 25 cases treated by the authors. In the first group there was a uni-condylar fracture associated with a tear of the medial or lateral ligament. In the second group, there was a uni-condylar fracture associated with a fracture of the tibial spine. After a review of their results, the authors consider that ligamentous lesion should be treated surgically as well as the bony lesions which must be repaired first. Post-operative immobilisation was continued for one month followed by rehabilitation. An arthrolysis may be done five months later if necessary.