Complications following treatment of peri-knee fracture or nonunion by locking plates

Abstract

ObjectiveTo analyze complications following the treatment of peri-knee fracture or nonunion by locking plates.Methods From January 2005 to May 2009, we used internal fixation with a locking plate to treat 106 closed peri-knee fractures in 97 patients (46 distal femoral fractures and 60 proximal tibia fractures). There were 85 cases of fresh fracture and 21 cases of nonunion. They were 62 males and 35 females, with an average of 34.8 years (from 18 to 54 years). The patients were followed up monthly for The Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) scores and complications. Analyses were done to find associations between complications and gender, injury cause, injury type, facture type and operation time. ResultsThe follow-ups averaged 23.8 months (from 10 to 32 months ). The 46 distal femoral fractures obtained an average HSS score of 83.4 points one year after operation and had a complication rate of 32.6 ％ ( 15 cases); the 60 proximal tibia fractures obtained an average HSS score of 86. 4 points one year after operation and had a complication rate of 16.7 ％ (10 cases). There were no significant associations between complication rate and gender, injury cause, injury type and fracture type ( P ＞ 0. 05). There was a significant association between complication rate and operation time(x2 = 5.440, P = 0. 015).Conclusions Although locking plates are a new and effective treatment for peri-knee fracture or nonunion, they still have drawbacks. Indications should be strictly followed and care should be taken to avoid postoperative complications as much as possible. Key words: Knee joint; Femoral fractures; Tibial fractures; Fracture fixation, internal; Bone plates