European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Background:Distal femur fractures occur following high-energy impact in young
patients or low-energy injury in elderly patients with osteopenic or osteoporotic
bone.This study is aimed to compare the results of retrograde Nailing versus plating
technique in distal femoral fractures regarding both clinical and radiological
alignment. Patients and methods:This study was conducted on 18 patients with
distal femoral fractureswho divided into two groups; Group A treated by retrograde
femoral nail (RGN) and group B treated by Plating technique. All patients were
subjected to clinical and radiological measurements to assess the outcomes after
surgery. Results:Clinical measurements in normal limb was 4.66±1.32 in
retrograde nail group while it was 4.88±1.58 in plating group, the MAD in
fractured limp clinically was 5.38±1.89 in retrograde nail group while it was
6.48±2.31 in plating group. The radiological MAD showed significant difference
between the normal and operated side. Mechanical Lateral Distal Femoral Angle
(mLFDA) in fractured limb was 88.66±2.54 in retrograde nail group while it was
89.33±3.67 in plating group (P=0.663). Medial Proximal Tibial Angle (MPTA) in
fractured limb was 87.77±1.85 in retrograde nail group while it was 87.88±3.48 in
plating group. In spite of the excellent results in RGN group compared with group
(B), the overall results showed no significant difference statistically between the two
groups. Conclusions: Retrograde nailing is a good fixation system for fractures of
distal femur with better outcome in terms of range of movements, less infection rate
and early mobilization.