Long-term functional outcomes after intra-articular distal femur fractures: ORIF versus retrograde intramedullary nailing.

Abstract

This retrospective study evaluated the long-term clinical, functional, and radiographic outcomes of traditional open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) versus limited open reduction with retrograde intramedullary nailing for supracondylar-intercondylar distal femur fractures (Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen [AO] 33-C type). Twenty-three fractures were followed in 22 patients for a mean follow-up of 80 months. The rate of subsequent bone-grafting procedures (67% vs 9%) and malunion (42% vs 0%) were significantly higher in ORIF compared to the less invasive retrograde intramedullary nailing treatment. A nonsignificant trend was noted for increased infection (25% vs 0%) and nonunion (33% vs 9%) in the ORIF group. The physical function component of the SF-36 was approximately 2 standard deviations below the US population mean, and 50% of patients demonstrated radiographic changes of posttraumatic arthritis. No patient has had a subsequent total knee arthroplasty.

• Authors: A Brian Thomson, Robin Driver, Philip J Kregor, William T Obremskey
• Journal: Orthopedics (Orthopedics) Vol. 31 Issue 8 Pg. 748-50 (Aug 2008) ISSN: 0147-7447 [Print] United States
• PMID: 18714768 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article)

Topics

• Female
• Femoral Fractures (surgery)
• Fracture Fixation, Internal (methods)
• Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary
• Health Status Indicators
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Retrospective Studies
• Treatment Outcome