MRI evaluation of steroid- or alcohol-related osteonecrosis of the femoral condyle

We reviewed 30 patients (46 knees) with steroid- or alcohol-related osteonecrosis of the femoral condyle. Their average age was 35 (14-61) years and the mean observation time was 7 (3-16) years. The medio-lateral extent and the anterior-posterior (AP) location of the necrotic lesion were evaluated on T1 -weighted MRI and related to the collapse of the condyle. The size of the lesion was classified into three categories on the mid-coronal MRI of the femoral condyle: there were 44 small, 20 medium, and 9 large lesions. The condyle was divided into 3 zones: anterior, middle, and posterior. The location of the lesion was evaluated on the mid-sagittal image.