Meta plate and cannulated screw fixation for treatment of type Letenneur III lateral Hoffa fracture through posterolateral approach

Abstract

To explore clinical effect of meta plate with cannulated screw fixation in treating Letenneur III lateral Hoffa fracture through posterolateral approach. From June 2012 to June 2016, 12 patients with Letenneur III lateral Hoffa fracture were treated with meta plate and cannulated screw fixation through posterolateral approach, including 8 males and 4 females;aged from 22 to 66 years with an average of 42 years old;and 5 cases on left side, 7 cases on right side. Preoperative and postoperative X-ray and CT were taken before and after operation to assess location of fracture and fracture healing. Letenneur scoring standard was used to evaluate clinical effects. All patients were treated with meta plate combined with cannulated screws. All incisions healed at stage I. The fractures were healed from 11 to 32 weeks with an average of 17.2 weeks. No internal fixation loosening, displacement and necrosis of femoral condyle and deep vein thrombosis of lower extremity occurred. All patients were followed up from 8 to 24 months with an average of 12.8 months. At the latest follow-up, 7 cases got excellent results, 4 good and 1 moderate according to Letenneur scoring standard. Posterlateral approach is easy to expose, meta plate fixation with cannulated screws has advantages of strong internal fixation, high fracture healing rate, early knee joint function exercise and good recovery of joint function.