Avulsion Injury of the Medial Condyle of the Distal Femoral Epiphysis in a Sambo Wrestler: a Case Report

INTRODUCTION: Fractures of the medial condyle of distal femoral epiphysis happen in road accidents or in 14–17-year old adolescents, primarily soccer players, in result of forced valgus deviation of the tibia. In the scientific literature, about 100 cases of such injures have been described. This type of fracture presents certain difficulties in diagnosis, since it cannot be always identified by radiography. The choice of the treatment tactics depends primarily on the degree of fragment displacement and the existence of concomitant injuries, with the priority of surgical intervention. In the presented case, the injury occurred in a Sambo wrestler during a painful grip against him, with a forced valgus deviation of the tibia; the patient presented for examination two weeks after the accident. An X-ray examination revealed no pathology. The fracture was identified by magnetic resonance imaging. Conservative treatment was conducted with a satisfactory result. CONCLUSION: Fracture of medial condyle of the distal femoral epiphysis in children is a rare and complex problem requiring a more attentive diagnostic approach and the choice of a justified treatment tactics, especially if a child is involved in sports.