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Medial condyle of femur

The medial condyle of the femur is a large, rounded bony prominence on the distal end of the femur. It is larger and projects further distally than the lateral condyle, reflecting its role in weight-bearing. It contributes to the formation of the knee joint by articulating with the medial tibial plateau and meniscus. The medial condyle provides attachment points for important ligaments and muscles, making it critical for stability and motion of the knee joint.

It is clinically relevant because it is commonly involved in osteochondral injuries, fractures, osteoarthritis, and bone marrow lesions detectable on MRI.

Synonyms

  • Medial femoral condyle

  • Inner femoral condyle

  • Medial condylar prominence of femur

Location and Attachments

  • Location:

    • Distal medial portion of the femur, forming part of the articular surface of the knee joint

    • Projects more distally and medially compared to the lateral condyle

  • Articular surface:

    • Articulates with the medial tibial plateau and the medial meniscus

  • Attachments:

    • Posteriorly: Adductor magnus (hamstring part) at the adductor tubercle

    • Medially: Medial collateral ligament (MCL)

    • Other capsular and meniscal attachments contribute to knee stability

Relations

  • Superiorly: Shaft of the femur

  • Inferiorly: Medial tibial plateau and medial meniscus

  • Anteriorly: Patellar surface (continuous with medial condylar surface)

  • Posteriorly: Intercondylar fossa, cruciate ligaments, gastrocnemius (medial head) origin

Function

  • Provides weight-bearing articulation with the medial tibial plateau

  • Serves as an attachment point for ligaments (MCL) and muscles (adductor magnus, gastrocnemius medial head)

  • Contributes to stability of the knee joint and distribution of mechanical forces during gait

  • Forms part of the hinge mechanism of the knee, supporting flexion and extension

Clinical Significance

  • Fractures: Medial condyle fractures may occur in trauma and can disrupt knee stability

  • Osteochondritis dissecans: Commonly affects the medial condyle, especially in adolescents

  • Osteoarthritis: Medial compartment knee OA involves cartilage and subchondral bone of the medial condyle

  • Bone marrow lesions: Seen on MRI in overuse, trauma, or arthritis

  • Sports injuries: MCL or meniscal tears are often associated with medial condyle stress

MRI Appearance

T1-weighted images:

  • Cortical bone: very low (dark) signal

  • Marrow: intermediate to bright signal intensity depending on fatty content

T2-weighted images:

  • Cortical bone: low signal

  • Marrow: intermediate to bright signal intensity

  • Cartilage: appears bright relative to bone

Proton Density (PD):

  • Marrow appears intermediate to bright

  • Good delineation of adjacent ligaments and meniscal attachments

Proton Density Fat-Saturated (PD FS):

  • Normal marrow shows low signal

  • Pathology such as edema, fracture, or bone bruise appears bright

STIR (Short Tau Inversion Recovery):

  • Cortical bone: dark

  • Marrow: normally suppressed low-to-intermediate, but edema appears bright hyperintense

T1 Fat-Sat Post-Contrast:

  • Cortical bone: no enhancement

  • Marrow: normally mild homogeneous enhancement

  • Pathology (tumors, infection, inflammation): heterogeneous or nodular enhancement

  • Bone infarct/abscess: rim enhancement with central non-enhancing core

CT Appearance

Non-Contrast CT:

  • Cortical bone: hyperdense, sharply defined

  • Cancellous marrow: intermediate density relative to soft tissues

  • Excellent for evaluating fractures, osteochondral defects, or subchondral sclerosis

Post-Contrast CT:

  • Bone itself does not enhance

  • Surrounding marrow lesions, tumors, or infection show heterogeneous or rim enhancement

  • Useful for detecting cortical breach, lytic/sclerotic lesions, or osteomyelitis changes

CT VRT 3D image

Medial condyle of femur 3d image

MRI image

medial condyle of the femur anatomy 3t mri

MRI image

medial condyle of the femur anatomy

CT image

Medial Condyle of Femur ct axial image