title: Lateral and anterior plating of intra-articular distal femoral fractures treated via an anterior approach.
abstract: Thirty-five patients with 36 displaced distal femoral fractures (16 AO-type C2 and 19 AO-type C3) were treated with an anterior approach and double plating and followed for an average of 7 (3-44) months. Bone grafting with allograft and demineralized bone matrix was used. Postoperative therapy included immediate ROM and non-weight bearing for 12 weeks. Two patients died during hospitalization and one was lost to follow-up. Reductions were near anatomic in all but three patients. Uneventful healing by 16 weeks occurred in 24/36 fractures. Double plating via the anterolateral approach minimized stripping of the medial side and improved controlled access to the distal femur.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Kaufmann Bldg, Suite 1010, 3471 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213-3221, USA. ziranbh@msx.upmc.edu
authors.forename: B H
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Ziran
authors.forename: R H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Rohde
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Wharton
mesh_terms: D001860:Bone Plates; D005260:Female; D005264:Femoral Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000379:methods*; D017102:Fracture Healing; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D016896:Treatment Outcome