To evaluate the results of surgical and conservative treatment for coronal fracture of the distal femoral condyle.

The authors reviewed 19 cases from January 1993 to June 1999. Medial condyle (11 cases) was more common than lateral condyle (8 cases) and the causes of injuries included 10 cases of motor vehicle accident, 4 cases of motorcycle accident, 3 cases of falling down and 2 cases of slipping down. We divided the cases into an operation group (15 cases) and a non-operation group (4 cases) and evaluated results as good, fair and poor according to Letenneur's functional assessment.

Anatomical reduction was obtained in all cases. The mean period of bone-union was 13.3 weeks in 12 cases of the operation group and 16.0 weeks in 2 cases of the non-operation group. The results at the last follow-up in the operation group were better than in the non-operation group. Letenneur's type III fracture had better results in both groups.

In the case of coronal fractures of the femoral condyle, open reduction and internal fixation could allow earlier knee ROM exercise and procedure better results when it was indicated.