OBJECTIVETo investigate the operation techniques and clinical effects of hollow lag screws for the treatment of Hoffa fractures.

METHODSFrom February 2001 to May 2009, 13 patients with Hoffa fractures were treated with hollow lag screws, including 8 males and 5 females, ranging in age from 23 to 45 years, with a mean age of 34.2 years. Six patients had the fractures on the left, 7 patients on the right. According to the Letenneuer type, femur lateral condyle: type I in 3 cases, type III in 2 cases; femur medial condyle: type I in 3 cases, type II in 2 cases, type III in 3 cases. According to the type of fracture, hollow lag screws were used to treat the fracture with different approach.

RESULTSAll the patients were followed up, and the duration ranged from 12 to 23 months,with a mean of 16.5 months. All the patients had no complications such as popliteal artery, tibial nerve or peroneal nerve injuries. According to Letenneur knee function score: 10 patients got an excellent result, 3 good. At the half year after operation, the X-ray showed all the fractures had bone union. There were no hollow lag screw loosening, broken or nonunion.

CONCLUSIONThe clinical effect of hollow lag screw for the treatment of Hoffa fractures is satisfactory. The surgical approach and fixation should be determined by the type of fracture, the location of the fracture line and the size of fracture fragments.