European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Introduction: Distal femur fractures account for 3-6% of all femoral fractures, which pose many clinical challenges to orthopaedic surgeons. A variety of surgical methods are available for definitive fixation. Since single lateral locked plating has been one of the best methods till recently, we want to study the functional outcome of distal femur intra-articular fractures fixed with single Lateral plating at our institution. Objective: To study functional out come of distal femur intraarticular fractures surgically treated with lateral anatomical locking plates Materials And Methods: This was a prospective follow up study conducted in department of Orthopaedics, S. S. Institute of Medical Sciences & Research Centre,Davanagere. Total 30 cases with closed distal femur fracture of Orthopaedic trauma association (AO/OTA) classification type 33C1, 33C2 & 33C3 with minimum of 1 year follow up at our institute were considered. Out of 30 cases one periprosthetic distal femur fracture, three open fractures and two AO type A fractures were excluded from the study. Remaining 24 patients were assessed for functional outcome with Knee Society Score recorded at 1 year follow up. Results: In three patients (12.5%) primary bone grafting with fibular strut was done at the time of index surgery. In another three patients (12.5%) cortico-cancellous grafting was done as a secondary procedure at 6-8 weeks following index surgery. Seventeen patients (70.8%) had no complications at the end of 1 year. Deep infection was noted in one patient (4.1%) who was treated with debridement and parenteral antibiotics. Conclusion: Although dual plating is the preferred method in treating distal femur fractures in young patients with good bone stock better results can be achieved even with single plating with due attention to medial cortical defect.