J Korean Fract Soc.  2005 Jul;18(3):238-243. 10.12671/jkfs.2005.18.3.238.

Treatment of the Distal Femur Fracture with Retrograde Intramedullary Nailing

• Yoo MJ
• Kim MH
• Park HG
• Byun WS
• Kim KC

• KMID: 1905604
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.12671/jkfs.2005.18.3.238

Abstract

PURPOSE: To evaluate the results and complications of the retrograde intramedullary nailing for the treatment of distal femur fracture.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Thirty three patients who received retrograde IM nailing for fractures of the distal femur between October 1998 to December 2003. Average age was 53.8+/-17 (17~86) years. The average follow up period was 19.4 (12~36) months. Clinical information included age, sex distribution, associated fracture and fracture was classified by AO classification. Functional result was evaluated by Schatzker's criteria.
RESULTS
The most common cause of injury was traffic accident (60%). The type of fracture were 6 A1 cases, 5 A2 cases, 11 A3 cases, 5 C2 cases, 6 C3 cases by AO classification. Among the 33 cases, 15 cases were excellent, 9 good, 6 fair and 1 failure according to Schatzker's criteria. Average union time was 9.7+/-3.5 months.
CONCLUSION
Treatment of distal femur fracture with retrograde intramedullary nailing was useful due to its minimal invasiveness and early range of motion, more rigid fixation.

Keyword

Distal femur fracture; Retrograde intramedullary nailing

MeSH Terms

Accidents, Traffic
Classification
Femur*
Follow-Up Studies
Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary*
Humans
Range of Motion, Articular
Sex Distribution