Abstract
Introduction: Distal femoral fractures comprise 4-6% of all femur fractures. The management of distal femur fractures are challenging because of significant morbidity and complication rate even with advanced surgical techniques and implants. Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) with pre-contoured distal femoral locking compression plate (DF-LCP) is one of the most acceptable surgical procedures these days.Objectiv: Evaluation of functional outcomes of distal femur fractures managed surgically using DF-LCP at Koshi Zonal Hospital.Methodology: In this cross sectional study 21 patients having closed distal femur fractures with or without intra-articular extension to femoral condyle fixed with DF-LCP at Koshi Zonal Hospital, Nepal from March 2016 to March 2017 were included. Patients with open fracture, severe comminuted fracture, and neurovascular impairment were excluded. These patients were followed-up for up to one year and we recorded the knee range of motion, full weight bearing time fracture union time, and complications. We used Neers' functional scoring system to evaluate the final outcomes and data was analysed using Microsoft Excel Programe.Results: Out of the 21 patients of distal femur fractures, 16 were diametaphyseal distal femur fractures and five were supracondylar fractures with intra-articular extension. Mean age recorded was 45 (range 19-75) years, hospital stay mean duration 12 (range 10-19) days and duration of surgery 85 (range 60-150) minutes, full weight bearing walking time mean 16 (range 12-22) weeks, radiological union time mean 20 (range 17-29) weeks and Neers' score was excellent in 66.66%, satisfactory in 23.80%, unsatisfactory in 4.76%, and poor in 4.76%.None of our patients had complications like; loss of fixation, implant failure or post-operative neurovascular injury.Conclusion: Distal Femoral Locking Plate is one of the best implant to be used as fixation method for both extra-articular and intraarticular distal femur fracture.Birat Journal of Health SciencesVol.2/No.3/Issue 4/Sep- Dec 2017, Page: 260-265
Highlights
Distal femur fractures are uncommon but challenging injuries to treat
Distal Femoral Locking Plate is one of the best implant to be used as fixa on method for both extra-ar cular and intraar cular distal femur fracture
Introduced distal femoral locking compression plate (DF-LCP) is precontoured, which provides angular stability and rigid fixa on.3-5Objec ve of our study is to analyses the func onal outcomes of ORIF with DF-LCP in distal femur fractures
Summary
Distal femur fractures are uncommon but challenging injuries to treat. In older age males and females with osteoporo c bone, fractures are usually due to low energy trauma like fall from standing height or during walk. In young pa ents, these fractures occurs due to high energy trauma like motor vehicle accidents, sports injuries and fall from height.1,2 Conserva ve management such as trac on, cas ng or combina on of both demands prolonged bed rest and can result in persistent angular deformity, bed sores and loss of knee range of mo on.Surgical fixa ons has consistently demonstrated be er outcomes than nonsurgical management. Used implants are external fixators, angled blade plates, dynamic condylar screw plates, condylar bu ress plates, retrograde supracondylar inter-locking nails, Ender's nails, Rush nails etc These implants are selected based on the fracture pa ern, bone quality, func onal demands and type of trauma, the condi on of the pa ent and exper se of the surgeon. Introduced distal femoral locking compression plate (DF-LCP) is precontoured, which provides angular stability and rigid fixa on.3-5Objec ve of our study is to analyses the func onal outcomes of ORIF with DF-LCP in distal femur fractures
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