Abstract

To study Union rate (time to union), time of mobilization, functional results, radiological results, complications of distal femur fractures treated by DF-LCP. Material And Methods: This is a prospective study of 30 Patients, with distal femur fractures (AO classification A,C) who were treated with distal femur locking compression plate (DF- LCP) at Department of Orthopaedics, Dr BVPRMC, Loni, Maharashtra. The study sample was 30 patients and all these patients were included with predefined inclusion & exclusion criteria in this study. Minimum of 6 months and a maximum of 16 months follow up was done. The functional and radiographic results were recorded according to Neer’s criteria. Results: The average time to union was 3.83 months (15.36 weeks) with a range of 2 – 8 months (8 – 32 weeks) and standard deviation being 1.482. The Mean range of flexion obtained postoperatively was 111.30 with a range of 700 – 1500. Two Contracture and decreased knee movements, four mal-alignment/malunion, one implant failure and one infection were the residual complications in our study. Follow up of our cases included from a minimum of 6 months to a maximum of 16 months. Mean Neer’s score was 80.20 and standard deviation was 9.084. Excellent results were seen in 15 cases, satisfactory in 11, unsatisfactory in 3 and 1 case of failure was seen. Conclusion: We conclude that DF-LCP, the “ internal fixator” is a safe and reliable implant although careful preoperative planning and case selection are important factors which determine the final outcome. It may substitute a conventional plate and screw system (compression method) in treatment of complex distal femoral fractures especially in osteoporotic bone. Further randomised controlled studies are required in different situations to know the usefulness of this implant.

Description