outcome of fracture of intraarticular distal femur treated with distal femur locking compression plate

BACKGROUND The most challenging fractures faced by orthopaedic surgeons are the distal fractures of femur, especially the intraarticular distal femoral fractures. These fractures have been classified according to Orthopaedic Trauma Association (OTA) 33-C3. Distal femoral fractures account to 4-7% of all femoral fractures and are less common compared to hip fractures. The aim of the study is to study the functional outcome of fracture of intraarticular distal femur treated with distal femur locking compression plate. MATERIALS AND METHODS This study is a prospective study, which comprised of 30 patients of intraarticular distal femur fracture AO classification 33-C3 who were treated by locking compression plate at Jorhat Medical College and Hospital, Jorhat, Assam. This study was conducted during February 2015 to April 2017. The functional outcome was studied using Neer’s score, outcome of radiology and complication with fracture fixation using LCP. RESULTS Out of 30 patients, 22 were males (73.3%) and 8 were females (26.7%). 18 patients had fracture right hand side and 12 patients had left-handed fractures. A 19 years old was the youngest patient and 72 years was the oldest patient. About 70% patients had sustained road traffic accidents and 10% had sustained fall from a height. Four days was the average trauma to operative interval, 22 patients were operated extensile lateral approach and 8 patients were operated by swashbuckler approach. 12 weeks was the average weightbearing duration, 21 weeks was average time for fracture healing. 10 patients had C1 (33.3%), 12 patients had C2 (40%) and 8 patients had C3 (26.7%) type of fracture according to AO classification. Among 30 patients, 13 patients have shown excellent results, 7 patients have good results, 5 fair results and 5 poor results. Primary bone grafting was done in 4 patients for severely comminuted type C3 fracture. Secondary bone grafting was done in 2 patients who had delayed union at 4 month, 1 patient showed sign of union on 9th month, 1 patient showed nonunion treated with secondary bone grafting at 9th month with signs of union at 12 months. Two patients developed infection on 4th postoperative day, which was resolved with antibiotics. Four patients developed knee stiffness. CONCLUSION The locking compression plates with option of locked screws has provided the means to increase the rigidity of fixation in intraarticular distal femoral fractures. Better functional outcome was achieved using locking compression plate for intraarticular distal femoral fractures with proper physiotherapy.