title: Nonsurgical management of supracondylar fracture above total knee arthroplasty. Still the nineties option.
abstract: Supracondylar fracture of the femur above a total knee arthroplasty has been reported to occur in 0.3-2.5% of all cases. The case of a patient who sustained such a fracture subsequent to a fall and whose fracture was managed without surgery with a good result is reported. There was no evidence of coexisting loosening, osteolysis, or significant wear, and satisfactory bony reduction was achieved, maintaining correct alignment of the prosthetic components. Healing occurred in 3 months, and the patient remains under follow-up evaluation with a painless knee and a range of movement similar to prefracture levels with no evidence of implant loosening. Despite the current enthusiasm for internal fixation of these fractures, a review of the current literature revealed that neither conservative nor operative management has a significant proven advantage, and the treatment of these difficult and uncommon fractures remains challenging. Nonoperative treatment of fractures above well-fixed components can, however, be as successful as surgical intervention, and remains a viable first-line approach. Conservative management also lacks the potential risks of operation, while maintaining the option of later surgical intervention if required.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Hip Surgery, Wrightington Hospital for Joint Disease, Appley Bridge, Wigan, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: D H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Sochart
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hardinge
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls; D005260:Female; D005264:Femoral Fractures / Q000628:therapy*; D018460:Fractures, Comminuted / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007720:Knee Prosthesis; D008875:Middle Aged; D013165:Splints