Ipsilateral Fracture of Femur and Tibia, Treatment and Functional Outcome

ABSTRACT

We reviewed forty patients with forty-two extremities having ipsilateral fracture of femur and tibia at Christian Medical College Ludhiana. Patients were grouped according to type of injury and the method of treatment Three percent femoral and ten percent tibial fractures developed delayed union out of which bone grafting was done in two femoral and seven tibial fractures. Three(7.2%) tibial fractures developed infected gap non union which were subsequently managed by distraction osteoneogenisis. Eight (29.1%) patients had stiffness of knee with range of movement less than 90 degree. Bad results were found in patients having compound injuries and in juxta articular involvement of both fractures. In our study external fixator was the mainstay of treatment in operative group comprising of ten(23%) femoral and twentythree( 55%) tibial fractures because of compound nature of injury and many limbs were salvaged which otherwise could have amputated. Patients in whom rigid internal fixation was used to treat both fractures produced excellent results.