Fractures of the distal femur in elderly patients: retrospective analysis of a case series treated with single or double plate

Introduction: We evaluated the radiologic and clinical outcomes of a lateral incision single plate with and a single-incision double plating in elderly patients with osteoporotic distal femoral fractures.Materials and Methods: We performed a retrospective study of 82 cases of distal femoral fractures from May 2004 to June 2018. Group A consisted of 42 patients who underwent single-plate fixation. Group B consisted of 40 patients who underwent double-plate fixation. The mean patient age was 77 years (67–87 years) and 76 years (64–86 years) in groups A and B, respectively. All patients were evaluated for procedure duration, time to union, range of knee motion, Lysholm knee score, and presence of complications.Results: The average procedure time was 81 min (66–92 min) and 110 min (95–120 min) in groups A and B, respectively(p=0.33). One case in group B required bone grafting after 5 months. The average time to union was 14 weeks (9–19 weeks) and 12.2 weeks (8–19 weeks) (p=0.63), and the mean range of knee motion was 105° (90–125°) and 110.7° (90°–130°) (p=0.37) in groups A and B, respectively. There was no significant statistical difference between the two groups in the Lysholm knee score(p=0.44) and knee society score(p=0.53).Conclusion: The clinical and radiological outcomes were similar in the 2 groups. In elderly patients, double plate fixation for distal femoral fractures is an useful method for several advantages such as adequate exposure, easy manipulation, anatomical reduction and stable fixation.

“FUNCTIONAL OUTCOME OF RETROGRADE NAILING IN THE MANAGEMENT OF SUPRACONDYLAR AND DISTAL FEMORAL FRACTURE”

INTRODUCTION: Fractures of the Distal femur are complex injuries that pose a challenge to the orthopaedic surgeon. It constitutes about 6 % of all femoral fractures. It usually occurs during high energy trauma in younger patients and frequently are associated with concomitant injuries. In contrast, elderly patients with severe osteopenia might sustain solitary distal femoral fractures from minor trauma such as a simple fall. Proper diagnosis and treatment leads to early mobilization and rehabilitation of patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS :This prospective study was conducted in Department of Orthopedics at Dr. S. N. Medical College and Associated group of Hospital, Jodhpur ,Rajasthan ,India on 30 patients who underwent the surgery with retrograde intramedullary interlocking nail in the management of extra-articular supracondylar femoral fracture from August 2019 to November 2020. On follow up axial alignment was assessed and functional analysis was quantied using NEERS RATING SYSTEM, Radiographs was analyzed for correction, maintenance of position or loss of reduction. function around knee was accessed according to Schatzker and Lambert Criteria, measures the exion/extension , varus/valgus deformity , joint congruency and pain in operated patients. RESULTS: In our study 30 patients with supracondylar & distal femoral fractures based on AO Classication on MULLER ET AL underwent retrograde supracondylar nail, long term nal result were rated using NEER'S RATING SCORE , which gives point for pain, function, working, joint movement ,gross and radiological appearance. NEER'S RATING SCORE assigned for each patient after 24 weeks of follow up. After accessing this score out of total 30 patients, 10 have excellent score, 10 have good score, 8 have fair score and next 2 have poor score. Function around knee was accessed according to Schatzker and Lambert Criteria, measures the exion/extension , varus/valgus deformity , joint congruency and pain in operated patients,out of 30 patients 9 patients have an excellent result , 8 have good ,12 have fair and only 1 patient have poor result CONCLUSION:The retrograde intramedullary locked nail provides the surgeon with a different option in treatment of specic supracondylar fracture patterns. It offers a practical advantages of simple and efcient technique for patients with polytrauma, oating knee injuries and in elderly. this technique is very useful in distal femur fracture where antegrade nailing does not provide stability and also where plate xation is not suitable due to soft tissue condition.

Minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis with dual plating for periprosthetic distal femoral fractures following total knee arthroplasty

Introduction Adequate treatment for periprosthetic distal femur fractures is challenging because of various reasons, including severe osteoporosis and distal fragments that are too small or too distal. We have introduced a new surgical technique for dual plating of periprosthetic distal femur fractures following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and determined the clinical and radiological outcomes of minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) with a dual locking compression plate (LCP). Materials and methods Between January 2010 and July 2019, 18 patients [mean age, 74.8 (68–89) years; average follow-up period, 14.8 (12–43) months] underwent MIPO with distal femoral LCP laterally and proximal humeral internal locking system (PHILOS) medially for periprosthetic distal femoral fractures following TKA. The minimum follow-up was 1 year. The clinical and radiological outcomes were assessed using the modified WOMAC scores, knee range of motion, time to callus formation, time to union, and complications of malunion, nonunion, and shortening. Results The average time to union was 18.4 weeks (range, 10–51 weeks) and to callus formation was 7.8 weeks (range, 2–14 weeks). At the 1-year follow-up, the average JLETS was 37.6 (range, 24–53), average knee ROM was 110.3° (range, 80–135°), and average varus-valgus angles of the distal femur were 3.2° (range, −2.9–10.5°). No nonunion, broken plates, or implant failure occurred. Malunion occurred in three patients. Conclusion MIPO with dual LCP is a reliable method for stabilizing periprosthetic distal femoral fractures following TKA, with satisfactory bone union rates and low complication rates.