Primary total knee arthroplasty for a complex distal femur fracture in the elderly: a case report

Abstract

Fractures of the distal femur in the elderly account for 4–5% of fractures in the geriatric population and are usually due to low energy ground level fall onto a flexed knee. A high incidence of postoperative complications and poor results are secondary to associated co-morbidities and osteopenia in this age group resulting in high levels of comminution and articular damage at the time of injury. Preservation of knee function and early weight bearing should be the objectives of management in the geriatric population. We present in this case report of an elderly patient with comminuted distal femoral fracture who had Primary total knee arthroplasty as an alternative to internal fixation.