Angular Changes after Operative Treatment for the Supracondylar fractures of the Femur

Cho, Hyoun Oh; Kwak, Kyoung Duek; Cho, Sung Do; Ryoo, Cheol Soo; Lee, Bub Jae

Abstract

A fractures of the distal femur is an extremely complex fracture with which to deal. Poor bone stock, proximity to the knee joint, and a truncated shape make this area of the femur less suitable for internal fixation than other areas. Ideal care still somewhat controversial. Major complications include nonunion, delayed union, infection, loss of fixation, Joint stiffness and angular deformity, etc. The authors reviewed postoperative tiblo-femoral angular changes from the twenty six cases of supracondylar and intercondylar fractures of the femur treated operatively from January, 1988 to December, 1991. Fractures of a single condyle were excluded. The fractures were fixed internally with dynamic condylar screw(DCS) in nine cases, anatomic plate in nine, dynamic compression plate(DCP) in six and others in two. During the periods of follow up there noted varus change of 3.7 degrees in average. We reviewed retrospectively these postoperative varus or valgus angular changes with reference to the degree of injury, type of fracture, time elapsed from injury to operation, kind of internal fixation device, initial bone graft and postoperative brace supplement. Less angular changes in the tiblo-femoral angle with better results were noted in cases with lower energy injuries, AO type Al, A2 or Cl fractures, operation within 1 week of injury, internal fixation with DCS, initial bone graft and postoperative corrective brace supplement.