J Korean Fract Soc.  2002 Apr;15(2):166-172. 10.12671/jksf.2002.15.2.166.

Operative Treatment for AO Type C Supracondylar Fractures of the Distal Femur

• Choi HR
• Song JM
• Kwon H
• Ko YG
• Lee JG
• Yoon CH

• KMID: 1999396
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.12671/jksf.2002.15.2.166

Abstract

PURPOSE: Treatment of supracondylar fracture of the distal femur is challenging because of its characteristic anatomy and common occurrence of severe comminution. We evaluated the clinical results of 15 cases of AO type C supracondylar fracture.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
From December 1990 to November 1999, fifteen of 27 cases of AO type C supracondylar fracture of the distal femur were treated operatively. Mean follow-up period was one year and 5 months (range, 1 year-3 years and 3 months). The mean age of patients was 43.6 years. Eleven cases were treated by internal fixation and four cases by Ilizarov. Clinical results were evaluated by Schatzker and Lambert criteria. RESULT: There were 5 excellent, 4 good, 1 fair and 1 poor results (81% satisfactory) in 11 cases treated by internal fixation and 1 excellent, 2 good, 1 fair results (75% satisfactory) in 4 cases treated by external fixation. COCLUSION: To get satisfactory results, AO type C supracondylar fracture of the distal femur need to be reduced anatomically and require rigid internal fixation. External fixation using Ilizarov can be an effective method of treatment in cases of open fracture and severe comminution with osteoporosis.

Keyword

femur; supracondylar fracture; AO type C; operative treatment

MeSH Terms

Femur*
Follow-Up Studies
Fractures, Open
Humans
Osteoporosis