Treatment of Supracondylar-Intercondylar Femoral Fractures with a Retrograde Intramedullary Nailing

PURPOSE: We analyzed the cases of supracondylar-intercondylar femoral fracture treated with retrograde intramedullary nail and report the clinical results and its usefulness. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed 17 cases of supracondylar-intercondylar femoral fracture that had been treated with retrograde intramedullary nail and each of patients had been followed up for a minimum one year. Post-operative functional assessment was performed using a scale developed by Sanders et al. The evaluation scale assesses range of motion, pain, walking ability, return to work, and alignment and shortening as measured on radiograph. RESULTS: According to functional assessment of Sanders et al, there were 6 excellent, 9 good, 1 fair, and 1 poor results, that is, 94% showed above excellent results. Bony union was obtained in average 5 months after operation. The post-operative complications were varus deformity in 1 case, wound infection in 1 case, stiffness of knee joint in 1 case, and metal failure in 1 case. CONCLUSION: The treatment of supracondylar-intercondylar femoral fracture with retrograde intramedullary nail is one of the good surgical options for clinically preferable results with the advantages in early joint motion and early ambulation.

Surgical Treatment of Supra and Intercondylar Fracture of the Femur / 대한정형외과학회잡지

We performed a retrospective analysis of the results of surgical treatment of sixteen patient with comminuted fracture of the distal femur from September 1993 to August 1995 and evaluated the efficacy of the angled blade plate as one of the fixation devices used. The fractures were limited to C2 and C3 fracture classifed according to the AO classification. After an average follow-up of 13 months (range, 9 to 24 months), all of the fractures had healed. Postoperatively, the arc of flexion was limited between 90degrees and 125degrees in eight, normal arc in five, and severely restricted arc of joint motion was present unexceptionally in three patients with deep infection. In angular deformity, average 5.8degrees of valgus and 2.4degrees posterior angulation were showed. The functional results by Sanders-Swiontkowski-Rosen-Helfet rating system were showed excellent in 3, good in 7, fair in 3, and poor in 3 cases. The overall results were seen to be excellent to good in ten cases (62.5%) but in twelve patients using the angled blade plate, excellent to good results were showed 10 patients (83.3%). We attribute the favorable results in our series to restoration of the articular surface through the modified extensile approach, sufficient stable fixation using the angled blade plate with conforming to the concept of bridge plate, routinely performing the bone graft for medial buttress and bone healing, and early mobilization of the extremity.