AIM:To evaluate the clinical and radiological outcome in the management of distal femur fractures treated by distal femoral locking compression plate. BACKGROUND: Distal femur fractures are one of the common fractures occurring in road traffic accidents. Different treatment modalities with varying outcomes are seen in literature in the management of these fractures.
MATERIALS & METHODS:The study was conducted in the department of orthopaedics at the Kamineni Institute of Medical sciences Narketpally. Patients treated for distal femur fractures with ORIF using distal femoral locking compression plates were evaluated to assess their clinical and functional results using Neer's scoring system and compared with the available literature. RESULTS: The mean time for union was 20 wks. With mean time to full weight bearing being 10.5 wks. CONCLUSION: Surgery in the form of ORIF with distal femoral locking compression plate for Distal femur fracture is a comparatively good treatment option for better out come and early mobilization with minimum complications. KEYWORDS: Distal femur fractures, Neer's scoring system.
INTRODUCTION:Distal femoral fractures reportedly account for less than 1% of all fractures and comprise between 4%-6% of all femoral fractures. Supra condylar femoral fractures occur commonly among two populations, young patients involved in high-energy accidents (Including motor vehicle and motorcycle accidents and sports trauma) and older patients, often osteoporotic, sustaining lowenergy fall fractures. 1 Intra-articular fractures of distal femur present a huge surgical challenge. These fractures are difficult to treat and surgical treatment is usually recommended for favourable outcome as they are frequently comminuted and intra-articular. 2 As orthopaedic surgery has evolved, trends in treatment of supra-condylar and inter-condylar femoral fractures now more commonly involve varied operative management techniques. The goals of surgical treatment are anatomical reconstruction of the articular surfaces, reduction of the metaphyseal component of the fracture to the diaphysis, restoration of normal axial alignment, length and rotation, stable internal fixation, early mobilisation and functional rehabilitation of the limb. 3 Internal fixation devices that have been used to treat these fractures include the 95° angled blade plate, dynamic condylar screw plate, condylar buttress plate and retrograde supra-condylar inter-locking nail. However, as the complexity of fractures has changed from simple extra-articular supra-condylar types to inter-condylar and metaphyseal comminuted types, these implants may not be ideal. Double plating, and more recently, locked plating techniques have been advocated. However, with double plating, there is often extensive soft tissue stripping on both sides of the femur, resulting in reduced blood supply and potential non-union and failure of the implants . The Less Invasive Stabilization System (LISS) allows for fixed angle fixation of the distal femur and minimally inv...