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. 2022 Oct 1;17(1):438.
doi: 10.1186/s13018-022-03327-7.

Three-dimensional fracture mapping and analysis of coronal fractures in AO/OTA types 33-B3 and C3

Yin Ding  1 , Dong Wang  1 , Muhammad Zeeshan Waheed  1 , Jun-Lin Zhou  2
Affiliations

Three-dimensional fracture mapping and analysis of coronal fractures in AO/OTA types 33-B3 and C3

Yin Ding et al. J Orthop Surg Res. .

Abstract

Background: Although the relatively high incidence of coronal fractures in the supracondylar-intercondylar fractures is well established, little is currently known about the morphology of those fractures. Herein, we characterized the coronal fractures in AO/OTA type 33-C3 and assessed their differences with Busch-Hoffa fractures (33-B3).

Methods: We retrospectively collected 61 cases of AO/OTA type 33-B or C fractures with coronal plane fragments and generated three-dimensional fracture maps of those with coronal fractures based on CT imaging and measured angle α (the angle between the coronal fracture and the posterior condyle axis in the axis plane) and angle β (the angle between the coronal fracture and the posterior femoral cortex in the sagittal plane).

Results: Thirty-three cases (32%) of AO/OTA type 33-C fractures contained coronal fragments. Most of them were type 33-C3 fractures. Angles α and β for type 33-C3 were significantly smaller than for type B3 at the lateral condyle, while the angles at the medial condyle were not significantly different. The fracture maps showed that the coronal fractures and the articular comminution area were more anterior in type 33-C3.

Conclusions: The incidence of coronal fractures was 32% and 67% in AO/OTA types 33-C and 33-C3, respectively. Our findings suggest that coronal fractures differed between both types, emphasizing the potential need for different treatment approaches.

Keywords: Coronal fracture; Distal femur; Fracture map; Morphology; Supracondylar–intercondylar fracture.

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Conflict of interest statement

There is no conflict of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Aimed lines and angles. A CT images of the right knee. B 3D model of the right knee. The property window shows the vector (directic) of the PCA. PCA, the posterior condylar axis; FL, the fracture line; PCF, the line of the posterior shaft
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Map of type 33-B3 fracture. A Fracture lines; B comminution zone. MC, Medial condyle; LC, lateral condyle
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Map of type 33-C3 fractures with the most common coronal fragment. A Fracture lines; B comminution zone. MC, medial condyle; LC, lateral condyle
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Heat maps of type B3 and C3 fractures. A Maps of type B3. The yellow lines indicate the hot zone on the lateral condyle. B Maps of type C3. The black lines indicate the hot zone (high-density fracture zone). C Overlap of the maps
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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