Comminuted fractures of the femoral shaft treated by plate osteosynthesis.
22 cases of comminuted fractures of the femoral shaft treated by plate osteosynthesis have been reviewed. This method of treatment gives excellent functional results if successful. However, the risk of failure is high and occurred in 37% of the cases. Unprotected weight-bearing in the post-operative period and comminution of the medial cortex of the femur with bone defect were the main causes of the failure of the implant and subsequent delayed or non-union. 75% of the patients with implant failure required further replating and bone grafting. Perhaps primary bone grafting may be indicated in those who have a medial cortical defect. A full range of knee motion was recorded in 91% of the cases. There was no deep infection in this series.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001860:Bone Plates; D005260:Female; D005264:Femoral Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014945:Wound Healing