Evaluation of clinical and radiological outcome of Muller Type C3 distal femur fracture treated with double plating fixation.

Abstract

Abstract Purpose: This study was conducted to evaluate the clinical and radiological outcome of intra-articular comminuted distal femur fracture treated with double plating fixation. Methods: A prospective study of 20 patients with Muller AO type C3 distal femur fracture treated with double plating. Patients were selected according to strict inclusions criteria and operated distal femur with double plating(17 primary & 3 secondary medial plate after 6 weeks) through modified swashbuckler approach. Results: From our study, the mean age 49.45, Radiological union was attained in 75% (15 cases) within 12-16 weeks and 10% (2 cases) within 17-24 weeks and 10%(2 cases) within 25-36 weeks and 5%(1case) had non-union. Functional outcome was excellent in 75% (15 cases), good in 15% (3 cases), fair and poor in 5% (1 case) each with an average follow up of 12 months. Conclusion: Double plating fixation technique resulted in good to excellent radiological and functional outcome in Muller AO Type C3 distal femur fracture in our study. So we recommend primary double plating fixation for type C3 fractures, however further studies are recommended with larger sample size to precisely assess the outcome of double plating technique in distal femur fracture.