ASSESMENT OF FUNCTIONAL OUTCOME OF DUAL PLATING FOR COMMINUTED DISTAL FEMUR FRACTURE

Abstract

Background-Distal femur fractures are commonlyassociated with severemetaphysealcomminution and significant soft tissue injury.Locking plating is one of the best and modern options for treating supracondylar femur fractures with relatively low failure rates. Single lateral plating of distal femur fractures was often found to have a relatively higher failure. A medial platingin addition to lateral plating reduces the chances of failure of fixation and prevents varus collapse.The purpose of this study is toAssessment of Functional Outcome of Dual Plating For Comminuted Distal Femur Fracture. Materials and Methods-Following ethical approval, thirty patients with distal femur fractures were treated with dual plating between 1st January 2021 to 31st June 2022.The follow-up studies included clinical and radiographic examinations. All relevant outcomes were recorded during follow-up. Result-All 30 patients were assessed by follow-ups. All follow-up fracture united by the end of study, but delayed union was observed in 5/30 patients. The average union time is 6.2 months (range, 5 to 8 months). The main complication in this study was found to be surgical site infection which occupied 6/30 cases. Conclusion-In our study though there were complications and increase in operating time, the union rate is 100% with no varuscollapse or malunion and functional range of movements were good in 40% of cases and excellent in 25% cases, so double plating is one of the betteroptionto achieve bony union and better functional outcome in severely comminuted distal femur fractures.