Use of carbon plates for the treatment of supracondylar femoral fractures: preliminary experience

Abstract

INTRODUCTION
 Distal femur fractures in adults have an estimated annual incidence of 6% of all femur fracture. Choice of the type of fixation depends on the characteristics of the fracture and the general condition of the fractures Carbon fiber reinforced—polyetheretherketone (CFRPEEK) offer several potential benefits when compared with metal alloy implants, including a modulus of elasticity approaching cortical bone and fatigue strengths greater than most metals.
 MATERIAL AND METHODS
 We retrospectively identified treat 17 patients, treated with minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) with carbon plates (Piccolo Composite ®). The patients were evaluated with clinical and radiographic follow-up at 1 month, 3 month, 6 month e 1 year. The clinical evaluation was performed using knee society score (KSS) and the CAS score.
 RESULTS
 Clinically 15 of 17 patients examined healed (88,2 %), 1 patient (5,8 %)went to delay of consolidation healed in 11 month), 1 (5,8 %) patients went to non-union and we perform a revision arthroplasty. The mean healing time was 92,88 days (st. dev 28,63, min. 56 d – max 140). The mean CAS score at 1 year was 4,47 (st. dev 1,46, min 2 – max 6). The mean KSS at 1 year was 73,11
 DISCUSSION
 Titanium has good osseointegrative properties and an elastic modulus more similar to bone. Carbon plates with a stiffness closer to the 159 modulus of elasticity of bone, and exhibiting better fatigue properties, could be a good alternative to existing metallic plates. Our group of patients showed average healing time of about three months, but the formation of callus is evident as early as 1 month after surgery. For this reason a partial weight bearing was early allowed in 15 patients. Which guarantees a recovery of daily activities from 5 months after surgery, reducing the risk of mortality.
 CONCLUSION
 The new carbon plates guarantee the possibility of performing a more elastic synthesis that is closer to the biological characteristics of the bone.