title: Results of treatment of distal extra: articular femur fractures with locking plates using minimally invasive approach--experience with 25 consecutive geriatric patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Fractures involving the femur in older adults are reasonably common. The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of MIPO technique using locking plates in geriatric patients for distal extra-articular femur fractures.
  
  
  METHODS
  About 25 consecutive patients with distal extra-articular femur fractures aged 60 years and above were treated using locking plates and minimally invasive technique. Patients were studied prospectively over a period of 3 years. Parameters studied included patient demographics, fracture type, time taken for the surgery, time to union and any complications.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean age of patients was 66.5 years. Nineteen (76%) patients were females. Most of fractures in our study were type 33A2 fractures (64%). Average time to full weight bearing was 14.32 weeks, and fractures united at an average of 16.88 weeks. There were two (8%) patients with superficial infection, two (8%) with implant tenderness. One (4%) patient developed knee stiffness. Five (20%) patients had extension lag of average 5°. One (4%) patient sustained a peri-implant fracture at 2 months. None of the patients developed non-union or delayed union. According to criteria laid by Schatzker's and Lambert, excellent results were achieved in 22 (88%) patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Outcome of minimally invasive fixation of distal extra-articular femur fractures with locking plates in patients of age 60 years and above seems to be good with high union rate despite high prevalence of osteoporosis and comminution.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Government Medical College Srinagar (Hospital for bone and joint surgery Barzulla), Srinagar, 190005, Jammu and Kashmir, India.
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Khursheed
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Wani
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rashid
authors.forename: A H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Lone
authors.forename: Q
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Manaan
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sultan
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Bhat
authors.forename: B A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Mir
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Halwai
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Akhter
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001860:Bone Plates; D001863:Bone Screws; D005260:Female; D005264:Femoral Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D061646:Operative Time; D011859:Radiography