Minimally invasive percutaneous plating of distal femoral fractures using the dynamic condylar screw.
BACKGROUND
In distal femoral fractures, conventional open reduction and internal fixation causes complications because of excessive soft-tissue stripping. To prevent this, minimally invasive percutaneous plating was performed in distal femoral fractures.


METHODS
Sixteen supracondylar or intercondylar femoral fractures were treated by minimally invasive percutaneous plating with the dynamic condylar screw without bone graft. Five (31%) were open fractures.


RESULTS
All fractures healed except one. The average time for fracture healing was 17 weeks (range, 14-22 weeks). Complications included one nonunion related to early full weight bearing. No patient showed malunion or deep infection. Results were evaluated by modified Neer rating, and all patients had excellent or good results. Intra-articular fractures showed less favorable range of motion and clinical scores than extra-articular fractures.


CONCLUSIONS
Minimally invasive percutaneous plating with the dynamic condylar screw can provide favorable results in the treatment of distal femoral fractures.
Jeon
In-Ho
IH
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Kyungpook National University Hospital, Taegu, South Korea.
Oh
Chang-Wug
CW
Kim
Sung-Jung
SJ
Park
Byung-Chul
BC
Kyung
Hee-Soo
HS
Ihn
Joo-Chul
JC
D000328:Adult; D001863:Bone Screws; D005264:Femoral Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery*; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D017102:Fracture Healing / Q000502:physiology; D005597:Fractures, Open / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures; D011859:Radiography; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D016896:Treatment Outcome