Cephalograms taken in the Natural Head Position (NHP), and related to the true vertical and the true horizontal reference planes should logically replace the planes used in conventional cephalometry. This has not happened because of the difficulties in radiographically recording the NHP. This paper presents a modified approach to capture the true vertical reference line on the patients' face itself in NHP, which is then transferred to the conventional lateral cephalogram.

BACKGROUND Fractures of distal end of femur are complex injuries which are difficult to manage & are unstable and comminuted. Despite advances in implants treatment of distal femoral fractures remains a challenge. AIMS This study was done to analyze the functional outcome & complications associated with surgical management of fractures of distal end of femur in adults using Dynamic Condylar Screw (DCS). SETTINGS & DESIGN It was a prospective clinical study done at BMCH, Chitradurga. METHODS The present study included 25 patients with 13 Supracondylar and 12 Intercondylar fractures of femur. They were operated after stabilization using Dynamic Condylar Screw. RESULTS The study showed maximum presentation between 4 th and 5 th decade with mean age of 39.2 years with sex incidence of 11.5:1 (M:F). Mode of injury was RTA in 17, simple fall in 5, fall from height in 2 and assault in 1 patient. Patients presented to hospital within 0 to 4 days of injury. Left side was involved in 12 and right side in 13 cases. There were 9-A1, 3-A2, 1-A3, 2-C1, 8-C2 and 2-C3 fractures. Six patients had compound fracture. Patients were operated from 3 days to 40 days after admission at an average of 12.36 days. Results were found to be excellent in 8, good in 9, moderate in 3 and poor in 5 patients. Complication in form of valgus angulation, shortening, splintering of proximal femoral fragment, deep infection, Implant failure and lateral angulation at fracture site, Non-union with deep infection were noticed. Average range of knee flexion was 104 0 and average time to radiological union was 13.42 weeks. CONCLUSION This study showed that DCS is a good method of treating closed type A1, A2, A3, C1 and C2 fractures. Type C3 and compound fractures treated by this method had more poor results. DCS provides rigid fixation and good purchase in osteoporotic bone. Early mobilization prevents knee stiffness.