The application of external fixation for the treatment of supracondylar femoral fracture after total knee replacement / 中国骨伤

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the external fixation for treatment of supracondylar femoral fractures after total knee replacement.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From June 2005 to July 2007, 7 cases of supracondylar femoral fracture after total knee replacement were treated with external fixation included 4 males and 3 females with an average age of 71 years ranging from 55 to 85 years. The fracture healing were observed and the knee function were evaluated by the HSS scoring.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All patients were followed-up for 6 to 23 months with an average of 12.5 months. The fracture healing time was from 6 to 12 weeks after operation (averaged 8.5 weeks). During the followed-up period, there were no infection and loosening, only one case occurred nail crossing delayed healing of skin. The HSS knee score was (60.6 +/- 16.0) before treatment and (77.6 +/- 11.6) after treatment according to HSS knee score criteria, the results were excellent in 2 cases, good in 4, and fair in 1.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Application of external fixation for treatment of supracondylar femoral fracture after total knee replacement, especially in poor physical condition, high age patients is a more appropriate treatment.</p>