Stress Fracture of the Lateral Femoral Condyle after Total Knee Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: This is to assess one of the rare complications after total knee replacement and to assess risk factors of failure.

METHODS: 11 patients with varus knee and an average age of 67 years underwent TKA between 2005 and 2013. All patients returned with a sudden sharp knee pain, disability to walk and significant decrease in ROM about 4 to 8 weeks after surgery. Radiographic examination revealed a lateral femoral condylar stress fracture.

RESULTS: After analyzing the images, we found common characteristics among all patients, which might be attributable to the later fracture including varus deformity>25, femoral component lateralization, and valgus correction.

CONCLUSION: Surgeons should be aware of the risk factors to consider before, during, and after surgery.