A 28-year-old man sustains a twisting knee injury during football. Radiograph of the knee shows a small vertical avulsion fracture from the lateral tibial plateau just below the joint line. Which structure is most likely injured?

• A Posterior cruciate ligament
• B Medial collateral ligament
• C Lateral meniscus root
• D Anterior cruciate ligament ✓

Explanation

The Segond fracture is an avulsion fracture of the lateral tibial condyle at the insertion of the anterolateral ligament (historically described as the mid-third lateral capsular ligament). It is highly associated with anterior cruciate ligament tears, occurring in the majority of cases, and is frequently accompanied by injuries to the medial or lateral menisci. It results from internal rotation and varus stress. Posterior cruciate ligament avulsion occurs posteriorly at the tibial attachment, and medial collateral ligament injury is associated with a Pellegrini-Stieda lesion rather than a lateral plateau avulsion.

Reference: Grainger and Allison's Diagnostic Radiology, 7th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.