Retrograde femur nailing versus locking plate fixation for extra–articular distal femur fractures: A comparative study of functional and radiological outcomes of the two techniques.

Dr. Ashwin Shetty; Dr. Sanath Kumar Shetty; Dr. Arjun Ballal; Dr. Anand Kumar S; Dr. Anoop Hegde

Volume : V, Issue : III, March - 2016

Retrograde femur nailing versus locking plate fixation for extra–articular distal femur fractures: A comparative study of functional and radiological outcomes of the two techniques.

Dr. Ashwin Shetty, Dr. Sanath Kumar Shetty, Dr. Arjun Ballal, Dr. Anand Kumar S, Dr. Anoop Hegde

Abstract :

Background: Distal femur fractures have always posed a therapeutic challenge to orthopaedic surgeons over the years. Many implants and modalities and techniques of fixation have been developed over the years for management of these fractures. Aim: To compare the radiological and functional outcome of the knee after fixation of extra–articular distal femur fractures with distal femur nail and locking plate using minimally invasive technique. Materials and methods: A retrospective study from June 2013 to July 2015 was conducted in our hospital. Only extra–articular fractures were included in the study. A total of twenty patients, between the age group of 20–50 years, half of whom who underwent retrograde/distal femur nailing(DFN) and the remaining half who underwent distal femur locking plate fixation using the minimally invasive technique were included in the study. The patients were called in for examination and x–rays at postoperative month six. The radiological union of the fracture was done using the Hammer score. The functional union was graded as per the American Knee Society Score. Complications were noted. The results were tabulated using chi square test. Results: The results showed us that the retrograde femur nailing had higher Hammer scores as compared to the minimally invasive plating. But, the American knee society scores were noted to be nearly the same in both the groups. Conclusion: We conclude by saying that locking condylar plate fixation with minimal invasive technique and distal femoral nailing have nearly the same functional outcome at the end of six months. But, the radiological union of fracture is better in retrograde femur nailing than the minimal invasive plate fixation.