Unicondylar osteoarticular allograft reconstruction of the distal femur in a patient with a traumatic osteoaticular defect of the lateral femoral condyle.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to report the clinical results for a patient with a post-traumatic osteoarticular defect of the lateral femoral condyle treated with unicondylar osteoarticular allograft reconstruction.
METHOD: We describe the case with a massive osteoarticular loss of the lateral femoral condyle combined with a grade IIIA open distal femoral diaphyesal fracture. The patient underwent unicondylar osteoarticular reconstruction with an allogenic fresh-frozen condyle.
RESULTS: There were no complications after the reconstructive procedure. At the five year follow-up, the patient showed a favorable clinical outcome with a full range of motion of the knee joint. Degenerative changes were seen in the graft compartment, but they did not cause serious functional limitations.
CONCLUSION: Unicondylar allograft reconstruction appears to be a surgical option for patients who suffer from a post-traumatic distal femoral osteoarticular defect in which only one condyle is absent or severely damaged.