"Missing" femoral condyle: an unusual sequela to neonatal osteomyelitis and septic arthritis.

Growth deformities of the distal femur and unusual gait disturbances were observed in four girls who had had neonatal osteomyelitis and septic arthritis. In each case apparent absence or hypoplasia of one of the femoral condyles, as seen on plain radiographs, was associated with marked genu varum or genu valgum. Arthrography showed the apparently missing condyle to be present in a cartilaginous form, with preservation of the articular surfaces. Based on these findings, surgical treatment was limited to corrective osteotomy.