Research Journal of Medical Sciences
ISSN: Online 1993-6095ISSN: Print 1815-9346
Abstract
Fractures within 15cm from articular surface of distal femur i.e., between articular surface and junction of metaphysis to femoral diaphysis are defined as distal femoral fractures which constitute around 5‐6% of femoral fractures. Lateral locking plates are now the choice of internal fixation and have replaced common blade plate in distal femur fractures. When there is short distal fragment and metaphyseal comminution with defect in medial cortex, chances of varus collapse due to increased bending tendency caused by vertical load are common in internal fixation of distal femur fracture with single lateral locking plate alone. So additional support of distal femur fracture stabilization by using doubleplating technique similar to that used in two column fractures of acetabulum, distal humerus and tibial plateau has been done in this study, based on failed cases encountered with single lateral plating in the past and literature support on double plating of distal femur fractures. This study was conducted at Sanjay Gandhi Institute of Trauma and orthopaedics, involving 20 cases. The participants included Muller type A2, A3 and type C2, C3 distal femur fractures, Simple and compound grade I Gustilo and Anderson fractures. Compound grade II and III fracture and Muller type A1, type B1, B2, B3 and type C1 distal femur fractures cases were excluded. Follow up assessments were conducted at 4 weeks, 8 weeks and thereafter every 3 months utilizing American knee society scoring system. Overall results were excellent in 5 out of 20 cases and were good in 8 cases. The outcome was fair in 5 cases and poor in 2 cases. Knee score of 70 and above is considered as good and in our study 13 out of 20 patients had a score more than 70 and remaining 7 patients had fair and poor results. The overall mean score in our study was 73.4 units. 6 of 20 cases had complications in our study with 4 cases resulting in knee stiffness. 1 case had implant loosening because of osteoporotic nature of the bone. 1 case resulted in chronic infection. In our study though there were complications and increase in operating time, the union rate is 100% with no varus deformity or malunion and functional range of movements were good in 40% of cases and excellent in 25% cases, so double plating is one of the better option to achieve bony union and better functional outcome in severely comminuted distal femur fractures.
How to cite this article:
Praveen Narayan, B. Raghunath Reddy and Pothuri Rishi Ram. A Prospective Study on Functional Outcome of Double Plating for Distal Femur Fracture.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.36478/10.59218/makrjms.2023.738.750
URL: https://www.makhillpublications.co/view-article/1815-9346/10.59218/makrjms.2023.738.750