Diseases in the area Damage to the femoral condyles

Functions of the femur

The longest bone in the human skeleton is the structural unit of the femur. It is considered the largest element of the human skeleton, therefore it plays an extremely important role, connecting the lower limbs and torso. The functions of the femur include:

1. Supportive (fastening the muscles and ligaments that provide movement).
2. Lever function.
3. The largest and longest bone of the skeleton is important for the circulatory system, as it contains red bone marrow.
4. Thanks to the femur, the human body is able to normalize mineral metabolism.

The femur acts as a depot for the formation of calcium and phosphorus. These elements provide muscle stability.

They are extremely important for the heart, nervous system and hormonal system. In cases where a person has a calcium deficiency, the depot compensates for it, quickly solving the problem.

Features of the structure of the longest bone of the skeleton

Let's take a closer look at the human thigh. It is very strong, as it takes on a large load.

It is not for nothing that it is called tubular, because it really has a characteristic shape, and the bone marrow is located in the core of the femur. This is another storage area for various elements, namely fats. Nature provides that, as a last resort, these fats will be consumed if food is not supplied to the body for a long time.

Causes of injury

• injury during sports activity;
• falling from height;
• accidents, traffic accidents.

During a car accident, hitting your feet on the front seat or dashboard is of great importance. if the legs are bent at the knee joint, a condyle fracture is more likely to occur. With strong impacts, the direction of the force also plays a role; this injury is characterized by a direct action in the lateral projection of the knee.

Low-energy trauma occurs from a minor impact or a normal fall. The main role here is played by a violation of the structure of bone tissue, which occurs with osteoporosis or as a result of age-related changes.

If an isolated fracture of the lateral condyle occurs, the most likely cause is a forced outward deviation of the tibia. If it moves in the medial direction, the fracture will occur in the area of ​​the medial structure.

How to recognize a fracture of the femoral condyle?

• The main syndrome with this injury is pain. Localization of pain is the knee joint, which becomes smoother and loses its usual contours;
• Internal hemorrhage leads to tissue protrusion, swelling, and pain on palpation;
• Pressing on the patella makes it possible to feel its unusual position and how it “springs” under the pressure of the blood collected inside the joint;
• If the condyle is displaced, this is reflected in the deviation of the tibia to the side;
• The patient cannot make active movements, and passive ones cause severe pain.

Similar symptoms accompany fractures of the patella, tibial condyles, as well as sprains of the knee ligaments and damage to the meniscus. Therefore, additional diagnostics are required to make an accurate diagnosis. The difference between fractures of the femoral condyles and damage to similar structures of the leg is the fact that in the first case the pain is localized above the joint space of the knee, and in the second - below it.

Relationship with the humerus

Scientists suggest that once people moved on four limbs, so the humerus of the skeleton was also very strong, because it took on significant loads. Evolutionarily, human hands were used to work with tools, so their bones are no longer as strong as before. It is for this reason that athletes who frequently use their arms are advised to consume large amounts of foods containing calcium, which is necessary to strengthen the skeleton.

Thus, the femur is a complex element of the skeleton. Damage to it can be fraught with dangerous consequences, the correction of which requires a long period of time. However, due to its high strength, it is considered one of the most “reliable”.

What you should know about the human skeleton

As we have already noted, the femur serves as a lever. This applies to the entire human skeleton. Any bone is not only a junction of ligaments and muscles, but also fascia and tendons. Large bones play complex roles, including the longest ones. It was thanks to them that architects were able to create “holey structures”. Despite the fact that the longest and largest bone in humans is very strong, it can be competed by the fibula and tibia. The latter is capable of withstanding 1650 kilograms of load, which on average exceeds its mass by 2000 times. The femoral one is not designed for 1500 kilograms. The bones of the human skeleton are literally alive. They are characterized by active life activity, and depend on the pituitary gland and a number of glands:

• thyroid;
• parathyroid;
• sexual;
• adrenal glands

The skeleton exists in its entirety thanks to connective tissue, which is formed due to bone and cartilage structures.

Our limbs, including our longest bone, along with the base of the skull and vertebrae, develop from cartilage. Moreover, this applies to most of the skeletal elements. Very few skeletal elements can develop without cartilage. These include, for example:

• lower jaw;
• collarbone;
• part of the skull.

There is an interesting skeletal feature in many prenatal vertebrates that also applies to humans. At this stage, the skeleton is half cartilage. This may raise a reasonable question about how bone tissue is replaced. This mechanism is provided for by evolution, and by the onset of adulthood in humans, the cartilaginous skeleton will account for approximately 2% of the total mass. Nevertheless, cartilage is considered one of the most important elements.

Congenital anomalies

The main anomalies of the human femur include the following congenital pathologies:

• underdevelopment;
• hip dislocation and joint dysplasia;
• valgus and varus deformities.

These conditions, left unattended in childhood, can lead to serious consequences in the future. Some of them can make a child disabled for life.

Bone underdevelopment

This deviation accounts for more than 1% of the number of congenital skeletal deformities. Often this condition is combined with other pathologies, including the absence of the patella. The main symptom of underdevelopment is lameness.

Important! The dysfunction of the leg in this case is associated with the severity of the deviation and the degree of its shortening.

Incomplete development of the femoral tibia has the following features:

1. In cases of pathology of the diaphysis, the joints retain their function.
2. In case of disorders of the distal parts, the pelvis drops towards the affected side.
3. The hip and gluteal muscles atrophy.
4. The gluteal fold is not observed or is smoothed out.
5. Pathology is easily revealed by radiographic examination.

In this case, surgical treatment is necessary to restore leg length, which depends on the patient’s age and the severity of the pathology. The following methods can be used:

1. Surgical intervention aimed at stimulating the growth zones. It is performed at an early age.
2. Osteotomy with a distraction device. This method is used for patients aged 4-5 years.
3. Foot amputation. It is used if the shortening is too strong, and therefore restoration of the length is impossible. In some cases, the operation is combined with arthrodesis of the knee joint.
4. Orthopedic aids and shoes. They can help with minor underdevelopment of a child’s bones in the early stages.

The earlier such a pathology is identified, the easier it will be to eliminate it. Treatment methods are determined by the doctor in each specific case.

Congenital dislocation and joint dysplasia

This type of dislocation is diagnosed in very rare cases, while unilateral hip dysplasia is a fairly common occurrence. It is expressed by lameness and shortening of the leg. If the pathology is bilateral, the child develops a so-called duck gait.

For reference! An X-ray examination in such a situation reveals flattening and reduction of the femoral head, as well as its displacement from the acetabulum.

If the disease is diagnosed at an early age, treatment is carried out with conservative means using special splints, pillows and other devices that correct the joint structure. When the dislocation has not been corrected before 3 years of age, surgical treatment and a long rehabilitation period will be required.

The importance of cartilage for the skeleton and the longest bone

Cartilage is needed to cover articulated surfaces, allowing them to be wear-resistant. For articular cartilage and intervertebral discs, the ability to provide shock absorption has become an important feature. Tendons and ligaments are also attached to cartilage.

The most important feature of cartilage is the presence of water, which is approximately 80%. The main dry substance is collagen. Cartilage, unlike bones, does not have blood vessels. Therefore, diffusion is necessary for their nutrition. For the femur, cartilage is important, since its destruction leads to arthrosis. When the cartilage of the longest bone of the skeleton suffers from dystrophy, a person’s overall physical endurance decreases and the condition of the musculoskeletal system worsens. Cartilage wear is not always caused by intense physical activity. For example, many who suffer from diabetes are also at risk. Obesity is also a common cause of this disease.

Injuries

This category includes fractures that break the integrity of the hip bone. They are usually accompanied by the following symptoms:

• sharp and severe pain;
• limb dysfunction;
• swelling;
• leg deformity.

More intense pain is typical for a trochanteric fracture. With palpation and during movement, it intensifies significantly.

For reference! A femoral neck fracture is primarily characterized by the so-called stuck heel symptom. It is a condition when the victim is unable to rotate the limb at an angle of 90°.

There are extra- and intra-articular injuries of the femur.

Extra-articular fractures

This type of injury to the human femur includes fairly common intertrochanteric as well as pertrochanteric fractures, which are distinguished by the location of the line of injury. Such lesions occur predominantly in elderly patients. This is due to age-related changes in the structure of the trochanters: voids gradually form in their spongy substance, and the crust becomes fragile and thin.

Trochanteric injuries are characterized by good healing both after surgery and during conservative treatment. This fact is explained by the covering of this area by the periosteum and the presence of a large number of surrounding muscles. In addition, this area has a good blood supply, which also contributes to rapid bone healing.

Conservative therapy in such situations is based on skeletal traction. This procedure makes it possible to prevent the displacement of bone particles, eliminate them, or ensure the correct position until complete fusion. The traction period is usually one and a half to two months.

Important! In cases of elderly patients, such long-term conservative treatment may be unacceptable: many of them cannot withstand a long lying position. Therefore, in these cases, surgical intervention in the form of osteosynthesis of the fracture is more often performed. Half a month after the procedure, the patient can walk on crutches.

Intra-articular fractures

The most common types of such injuries are fractures of the femoral neck and head. In traumatology, this category is usually divided into the following types of fractures:

1. Transcervical: in this case, the fracture line passes in the neck area.
2. Capital: the line is located in the area of ​​the femoral head.
3. Basiscervical: the fracture occurred at the junction of the neck with the body of the bone.
4. Subcapital: The fracture line passes directly under the femoral head.

For impacted fractures (when a piece of the femur bone enters another bone), the patient is prescribed conservative therapy. In this case, he should be in a supine position on a bed with a wooden board. Often in such cases a Beller splint is used. Afterwards, skeletal traction is necessary.

If a displaced fracture is diagnosed, which is characterized by incorrect position and deformation of the leg, the doctor, as a rule, prescribes surgery. For intra-articular fractures of the femur, in addition to X-ray examination, an MRI of the hip joint may be necessary.

Properties of bone tissue

Bones, due to their properties, have great potential. For example, bone tissue has a tensile strength that is 9 times greater than that of lead. It’s phenomenal, but under compression loads it can withstand up to 10 kilograms per square millimeter, which coincides with the performance of cast iron. The resistance of bone depends on its architecture and structure. Any bone is partially made of water, and the percentage can reach approximately half of the total mass.

The properties of bone tissue are determined by its composition. This tissue consists of osteoblasts and osteocytes. The former are cubic-shaped cells, while osteocytes are more spindle-shaped. Forming long chains, osteoblasts organize the synthesis of components, then the process of isolation and formation of special spaces occurs in which the components remain, turning into osteocytes.

Diagnosis of pathology

Diagnosis is carried out on the basis of clinical data and additional research methods. The diagnosis begins with a patient interview and examination. The doctor notes visual signs of fractures characteristic of damage to the condyles. When collecting anamnesis, it is necessary to pay due attention to the nature of the injury received, so the patient must clearly describe it in a conversation with the doctor.

• The gold standard is to take a radiograph. The picture is taken in two projections - frontal and lateral. There are also additional research methods, but they are used less frequently.
• If the X-ray data is uninformative or there are doubts, a tomography is performed using a computer machine.
• Magnetic resonance imaging does not provide the necessary data on the condition of the bone; this method is used if there is a risk of damage to soft tissues and it is necessary to exclude their injury.

What type of bone tissue is there?

Long or short, large or small, all bones are composed of tissue that can be reticulofibrous or lamellar.

The first is necessary for connection with the tendons. Thanks to lamellar tissue, almost the entire skeleton is provided with bone substance. Its peculiarity is the presence of microscopic plates lying parallel to each other. The greater strength of the skeleton is due to the arrangement of the plates forming a right angle. Additional strength is provided by the periosteum. Blood vessels, nerve nodes, and lymphatic vessels became part of it.

How to Protect Your Femur and Hip Joint

Preventing joint diseases in the body will help ensure normal functioning. There are four main rules that should be followed by anyone who intends to give their joints a long life.

• normalization of weight.
• moderate physical activity.
• correct posture.
• proper nutrition.

It is important to control your diet, trying to avoid foods containing excessive amounts of trans fats. Among sports, it is recommended to choose swimming, Nordic or regular walking, and cycling. Yoga helps strengthen joints. To develop correct posture, you should play sports. Hyperextension plays a big role here - an exercise that strengthens the back muscles.

For joints and bones, the best nutrition is one that includes fruits and berries. Particular attention should be paid to plums, peaches, and apples. Such products give a feeling of fullness and at the same time contain few calories. It is worth thinking about breakfast - it should contain porridge and berries diluted in milk or yogurt. At the very least, this will be one of the best ways to start the day. Anyone who engages in physical activity is recommended to consume ginger. This is important to reduce the likelihood of developing inflammatory processes occurring in the joints. Garlic has amazing properties, promoting the production of a large amount of substances that suppress the synthesis of enzymes that can negatively affect the condition of the joints.

Modern methods of treating damage to the femoral condyles

Treatment of condyle injury is carried out in a hospital setting. If a patient is diagnosed with a fracture without displacement of bone fragments, treatment tactics consist of the following steps:

• evacuation of blood from the joint cavity;
• adequate pain relief;
• limb immobilization;
• if necessary, repeat joint punctures.

One of the important principles of treatment is to limit the load on the joint. The patient is recommended to follow a gentle regimen, walking with crutches for 2-3 months from the start of treatment.

If there is displacement of the fragment, manual reposition is performed under local anesthesia - that is, restoration of the anatomical position of the fragment. To do this, the doctor deviates the lower leg in the direction opposite to the injury. Correct movement engages the joint ligaments and the condyle itself “falls” into place. After manipulation, immobilization of the limb is still necessary.

Surgical treatment is required for some types of injury and when conservative methods are ineffective. The operation is performed early after injury and is accompanied by anesthesia.

Blood and small fragments are removed from the joint cavity. after this, the condyle is reduced and the displacement is eliminated. To strengthen the fragment, several metal screws are inserted into it. After suturing the wounds, a plaster cast is applied to the leg from the foot to the upper thigh.

Features of the femur in animals

The longest bone in humans has some similarities to animal bones. During evolution and natural selection in mammals, this skeletal element has been modified. Initially it was directed outwards, then there was a shift forward with a slight descent. And if once the bone had the shape of a cylinder, now it looks more like a cone. Moreover, its direction is oriented towards the lower leg.

Of particular interest is the structure of the femur in ungulates. Thanks to it, animals can make sudden movements and not get tired. Even with significant body weight, the bone can easily withstand loads. The situation is completely different for dogs, which often need to rest if they resort to active running. Resting lying down helps dogs recover tired back legs.

The example of monkeys clearly shows that their long legs move freely, which is associated with the possibility of free separation of the thigh from the body in the sector of the upper contour. The femur in mammals shows similarities to the humerus due to the presence of a hemispherical head. It is more prominent, since it requires a deeper entry into the pelvic cavity. Due to this, a strong connection with the belt is formed. The muscles are attached to the greater trochanter. A person also has 2 trochanters, which are equipped with protrusions necessary for attaching muscles.

Summarizing all of the above, we can conclude that the longest bone of the skeleton is an extremely complex complex that performs many functions, like many human organs. The structure of the bone is so nontrivial that it can surprise. Nature has provided a lot, so we have a clear example of how perfect the human body is. However, there are many dangers to this skeletal element. Despite its colossal strength, comparable to the strength of metals, it is subject to wear. A significant threat is posed by the wear and tear of cartilage, which is necessary for full functioning. One of the simplest recommendations that everyone can follow is to lead an active lifestyle. Constantly sitting in one place does not help strengthen joints. At the same time, you need to remember that repetitive and monotonous physical exercises also wear out the hip joint. Finally, stress also plays a negative role, depleting cartilage tissue.

What is the femur made of?

The normal anatomy of the femur involves the presence of the following main parts:

• body;
• proximal epiphysis;
• distal epiphysis.

It is necessary to consider these parts separately. To better understand the features of the structure, you can watch the video.

Body

This is a cylindrical section, which is distinguished by some bending towards the front. Its surface is smooth in front, and a rough line runs from the back. Its main function is to strengthen muscles. It, in turn, is divided into the lateral and medial lips. The first in the upper part passes into the gluteal tuberosity, and in the lower part it passes to the lateral condyle when tilted to the side. The second also deviates downwards, but extends to the medial condyle. In the upper part it meets the comb line. Together, these lips and the supracondylar lines delimit the popliteal surface in the lower zone of the femur.

For reference! In the middle of the body of the femur there is a so-called nutrient foramen. It leads into a nutrient canal with numerous vessels. They provide nutrition to the bone, so this hole performs a very important function in the human body.

Proximal epiphysis

In this zone is the head of the femur, in the center of which there is a fossa. The attachment of the head to the acetabulum is ensured by its articular surface. The area where it is connected to the body of the bone is called the neck. The latter forms an angle of approximately 130 degrees with the body.

In the area where the transition of the neck to the body of the bone occurs, there are the greater and lesser trochanters. They are connected to each other by an intertrochanteric line and a ridge - on the anterior and posterior sides, respectively.

The greater trochanter can be felt on the outside of the thigh, and the lesser trochanter, which arises from the femur, is visible from the back and inside. There is a trochanteric fossa near the femoral neck. Such protrusions help strengthen the muscles.

Distal epiphysis

The distal end or termination of the femur becomes wide inferiorly and diverges into two parts. At this point, the medial and lateral condyles are separated by the intercondylar fossa. It is clearly visible from the back. The surface of the condyles is covered with joints that provide connection with the patella and tibia.

On the sides of the femur bone are the lateral and medial epicondyles. Ligaments are attached to them. They can be felt from the inside and outside of the limb.

For reference! The right femur is shown in detail in the photo, which clearly shows that the structure of the femur bone in the back and front is significantly different.