Diagnosis of ostechondritis dissecans of the femoral condyles: the value of the lateral x-ray view.

The lateral X-ray view of the knee is more likely to yield the diagnosis of osteochondritis dissecans of the femoral condyles if the examiner is aware that most cases are located in the subarticular bone of the medial femoral condyle between two lines: The first extended anteriorly from the density of the roof of the intercondylar notch, and the second, extended distally from the posterior cortex of the distal femoral diaphysis.