title: [Retrograde interlocking nailing of distal femoral fractures with the intramedullary supracondylar nail].
abstract: Between June 1993 and September 1995, 18 distal femoral fractures were treated using the supracondylar intramedullary nail. There were 8 type A fractures and 10 type C fractures (AO classification). The operative technique involved retrograde insertion of an unreamed supracondylar nail through the intercondylar notch. Follow-up was available on all patients and averaged 18.3 months (range 6-32 months). All fractures healed with an average time to union of 12.4 weeks (range 8-16 weeks). Bone grafting was not necessary in any case. Sixteen patients achieved almost the same ROM as they had had before the injury. One patient developed a varus malignant and underwent correction with a supracondylar osteotomy 20 months post trauma. There were no infections or nonunions. The retrograde supracondylar nail is an excellent alternative to plate osteosynthesis in the management of dia- and supracondylar femoral fractures.
authors.affiliation: Chirurgische Universitätsklinik und Poliklinik, Berufsgenossenschaftliche Kliniken "Bergmannsheil", Bochum.
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Ostermann
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Hahn
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ekkernkamp
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dávid
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Muhr
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005264:Femoral Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D005594:Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary / Q000295:instrumentation*; D017102:Fracture Healing / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011859:Radiography; D016896:Treatment Outcome