Stieda fracture

Last revised by Samin Khoei on 15 Aug 2023

Stieda fractures refer to a bony avulsion injury of the medial collateral ligament (MCL) at the medial femoral condyle. When it fails to unite, it is known as a Pellegrini Stieda lesion.

It should not be confused with a Stieda process fracture of the talus.

Avulsion of the medial collateral ligament of the medial femoral condyle origin as the result of direct valgus stress or via a pivot shift mechanism. Patients will present with valgus instability on examination. 

The avulsion fracture typically involves the meniscofemoral fibers of the deep medial collateral ligament. It has a high association with ACL tears and posterolateral corner injuries.

Small curvilinear fragment close to the medial femoral condyle at the origin of the medial collateral ligament. In some cases, there may be widening of the medial tibiofemoral joint space.

It is named after the German surgeon Alfred Stieda (1869-1945).

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