[The application of external fixation for the treatment of supracondylar femoral fracture after total knee replacement].
OBJECTIVE
To explore the external fixation for treatment of supracondylar femoral fractures after total knee replacement.


METHODS
From June 2005 to July 2007, 7 cases of supracondylar femoral fracture after total knee replacement were treated with external fixation included 4 males and 3 females with an average age of 71 years ranging from 55 to 85 years. The fracture healing were observed and the knee function were evaluated by the HSS scoring.


RESULTS
All patients were followed-up for 6 to 23 months with an average of 12.5 months. The fracture healing time was from 6 to 12 weeks after operation (averaged 8.5 weeks). During the followed-up period, there were no infection and loosening, only one case occurred nail crossing delayed healing of skin. The HSS knee score was (60.6 +/- 16.0) before treatment and (77.6 +/- 11.6) after treatment according to HSS knee score criteria, the results were excellent in 2 cases, good in 4, and fair in 1.


CONCLUSIONS
Application of external fixation for treatment of supracondylar femoral fracture after total knee replacement, especially in poor physical condition, high age patients is a more appropriate treatment.
Wang
Wei-Ming
WM
Department of Orthopaedics, Shanghai Changhai Hospital,Shanghai 200433, China.
Chen
Wei-Hua
WH
Cao
Lie-Hu
LH
Ma
Yu-Hai
YH
Wang
Zhi-Wei
ZW
Wang
Si-Cheng
SC
Su
Jia-Can
JC
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016267:External Fixators; D005260:Female; D005264:Femoral Fractures / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D020127:Recovery of Function; D016896:Treatment Outcome