A study of the functional outcome of different operative modalities of treatment for distal femur fractures

Abstract

Background: Purpose of this study is evaluation and determination of functional outcome of distal end femur fracture treated by different operative modalities of treatment.Material and Methods: This is a prospective study done at orthopaedics department of Krishna institute of medical science and hospital karad (Satara). In our study 30 cases of distal femur fracture studied. Fracture types were classified according to AO classification into AO type A AO type B and AO type C. Patients were treated surgically with intramedullary supracondylar nail, distal femur non locking plate, buttressing plate, cannulated cancellous screws & Herbert screws. Distal femur condylar locking compression plate. Functional outcome was assessed according to Neer’s knee score.Results: Functional outcome was analyzed according to the NEERS knee scoring system, average score was 82 with a range of 29-94. In our study of 30 patients, 6(20%) observed excellent result, 9(30%) observed good result, 6(20%) observed fair result and 9(30%) observed poor result.Conclusion: Distal femur fractures are most commonly seen in males & most common cause is road traffic accident. Close fractures unite earlier then open fractures irrespective of type of the fracture. Bone grafting is necessary in case of comminution. Distal femur locking compression plate is an optimal tool for supracondylar fractures of femur especially AO Type A fractures and AO type C fractures. Cannulated cancellous screws is an optimal tool for AO Type B fractures. However careful understanding of basic principles and identification of appropriate fracture pattern for use of particular implants are essential to avoid complications and to produce excellent result.