OUTCOME OF PATIENTS HAVING DISTAL END FEMUR FRACTURE TREATED WITH LOCKING PLATE

Abstract

Introduction: Distal femur fractures represent 4-6% of all the femoral fractures and they occur within the 9terminal centimeters. Most supracondylar fractures are the result of a severe axial load with a varus, valgus or rotational force. Though various treatment options are available for the management of these injuries with their own advantages and disadvantages, experience with use of locking compression plate which combines fixed-angle locking screw technology with the option for conventional screw utilization is still very limited. Locked plating (LP) of distal femoral fractures has become very popular. In this study we study the result of these fractures treated with locking plates and the outcome of these management in terms of regaining early mobility and ability to go to routine activity of daily living. Aim of the study: The aim of the study the efficacy, technical requirements, functional results, radiological results, pitfalls, complications, union rate and Time of Mobilization of locking plate method.

Methods: With prior ethical clearance study was conducted on prospectively 30 Patients, with distal femur fractures (AO classification type A, C) who were treated with distal femur locking compression plate (DF- LCP) at Department of Orthopaedics, SMIMER, Surat with minimum period of follow up with 6 months and with average period of follow up of 9 months. The study sample was 30 patients and all these patients were included with predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria in this study.

Results: We studied different parameters like age of the patients, mode ofinjury, type of injury according to AO classification, duration of hospitalization, movement of knee after operation, Neer's score results, union or non-union and compared our studies with other studies we find satisfactory results in our study in outcome of the patient.

Conclusion: From our study we concluded that DF-LCP, the “internal fixator” was a safe and reliable implant although careful preoperative planning and case selection were important factors which determine the final outcome.