Ski injuries, the significance of flake fractures.

All patients returning from skiing holidays who had sustained injuries of the knee ligaments were assessed. Thirteen patients had radiologically evident flake fractures around the knee. Of these, all had marked laxity when examined under anaesthetic. In ten cases the accident had occurred at low speed. It is concluded that all knee injuries following a skiing fall must be examined to exclude ligament laxity. The relevance of the bony flakes is discussed.