One hundred twenty-four consecutive patients with true floating knee injury presented between 1987 and 2001. They were treated with non-operative, operative (external fixation and intramedullary nailing) and combined modalities. Sixty patients were followed up, at an average of 7.2 years, for age, gender, type of trauma and fracture; time to fracture union and time to mobilisation. Complications that were encountered and return to normal activities were recorded. Better and comparable union rates of fractures, earlier return to activities and higher excellent and good long-term functional results were observed among combined and operative (intramedullary nail) groups. Using combined modalities of treatment is an affordable, practicable and effective approach, especially for a resource-poor environment. External fixation of the fractured femur resulted in a decreased range of movement at the knee due to quadriceps muscle fixation. Fractured tibia, treated by any of the method, did not interfere with patient's joint mobilisation whereas associated injuries did.

A prospective randomised study was carried out on 86 patients with first, second and third degree open fractures in order to compare the effect of isotonic saline, distilled water and boiled water as irrigating fluids. The standard management consisted of emergency surgical toilet, use of broad spectrum antibiotics and fracture immobilization. The results show that the outcome was not affected by the type of irrigating fluid used.

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