Treatment of Distal Femoral Fractures by Retrograde Nail Versus Minimally Invasive Percutaneous Plate Osteosynthesis: A Comparative Study

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Egypt

Abstract

Background: Distal femoral fractures are serious injuries and represent a real challenge as regards their management. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the results of treatment of distal femoral fractures by retrograde intramedullary nail versus minimally invasive locking compression plate. Patients and methods: This is a retrospective study that included 20 patients with distal femoral fractures; 10 of them treated by retrograde nail (group A) and the remainder treated by locked plate using minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis technique (group B) at El-Hadra University Hospital and Kafr-Eldawar General Hospital from AUG 2016 till AUG 2018. Results: In group A, the results were excellent in 2 patients (20.0%), good in 3 (30.0%), fair in 3 (30.0%) and poor 2 patients (20.0%). In group B, the result was excellent in one patient (10.0%), good in 4 patients (40.0%), fair in 3 patients (30.0%) and poor in 2 patients (20.0%). There was no significant statistical difference regarding final score in the two studied groups (P < 0.05). Conclusions: It could be concluded that retrograde nailing provides a good intramedullary stability and firm callus and may be effectively implanted in segmental fractures of the distal femur. unrelenting knee pain and inability to move the knee in type C fractures are the main limiting factors of retrograde nail. LCP was associated with less morbidity in terms of persistent knee pain and better range of movements than retrograde nailing. Locked plating may be utilized for all distal femur fractures including type C fractures and osteoporotic fractures.

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The Egyptian Journal of Hospital Medicine
Volume 78, Issue 1
January 2020
Pages 28-33

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