Selfdynamisable internal fixator Mitkovic in treatment of periprosthetic supracondylar femoral fracture after total knee arthroplasty

Abstract

Supracondylar periprosthetic femoral fractures after total knee arthroplasty are very rare, but very difficult to treat. They occur most often as a result of low energy trauma (slips and fall) in older patients with present osteoporosis and periprosthetic osteolysis. The treatment of these fractures is very difficult due to reduced biological capacity for healing in most cases. Surgical treatment of these fractures is accompanied by severe complications (prolonged healing, nonunion and disintegration osteosintets material) in 25 to 70% of the cases. The aim of this paper is to present the treatment of supracondylar femur fractures after total knee arthroplasty in men aged 72 with selfdynamisable internal fixator Mitkovic. Surgical treatment of fracture performed on the six day after the injury with minimally invasive surgical technique through two incisions. Verticalization and walking with crutches with non-weight-bearing started the first postoperative day. Patient discharged from hospital fifth postoperative day. Full weight-bearing on the operated leg is allowed after 6 weeks. The patient started a stationary physical therapy 6 weeks after surgery. Postoperative follow-up was 10 months. The fractures healed with an excellent functional result. Application of selfdynamisable internal fixator Mitkovic with minimally invasive technique in the treatment of these complex fractures provides excellent biomechanical conditions for healing.