What types of knee fractures can occcur?
Fractures of the Femur at the Knee Avulsion Fractures The medial epicondyle is a small bump of bone on the inner side of the end of the femur (thigh bone). The medial collateral ligament attaches there and passes to the shin bone below the knee. This ligament prevents abnormal inwards movement of the knee. If the knee is forced into an inward bend the ligament either stretches, ruptures or pulls off the medial epicondyle. This type of avulsion fracture is not very common and may accompany other serious injuries of the knee such as a dislocation. If a fracture of the medial epicondyle is seen the knee will be unstable side-to-side. Instability in other planes such as front-to-back needs to be checked. This fracture normally heals without trouble but the knee may be unstable if the ligament has been stretched. An avulsion fracture of the lateral epicondyle on the outer side of the end of the femur is slightly more common. This is the point of attachment of the lateral collateral ligament
