A Clinical Experience of Surgical Treatment for Type C of AO Classification of Supracondylar Fractures of the Femur

Chung, Yung Khee; Yoo, Jung Han; Park, Myung Ryool; Song, Baek Yong; Park, Yong Wook; Kim, Jun Tae

Abstract

The treatment of supracondylar fractures of the femur remains many problem because of its complications. Particularly, the type C fracture of AO classification causes the traumatic arthritis, limitation of motion, shortening, as well as angular deformity, especially varus. In the past, there has been a reluctance toward treatment of supracondylar fractures of the frmur with internal fixation. But, recently, a trend toward internal fixation has become evident and good results has been reported by several authors. We studied 9 cases of type C of AO classification of supracondylar fracture of the femur at our hospital from January,1989 to February, 1993. The longest follow up was 49 months and the shortest was 12 months, the average being 22.2 months And the results were as follows 1. Age distribution was between 29 and 60 years old, and the ratio between male and females was 5:4. The most common cause of injury was traffic accident. 2. Seven patients were associated with injuries of other parts and the most frequent associated fracture was patellar fracture and the most common associated injury was cerebral contusion. 3. The average time of clincal union was 22 weeks in operative treatment and 13 weeks in conserv alive treatment. 4. In type C AO classification, 6 out of 9 cases treated by anatomical reduction and early motion achieved good to excellent results(50%), but all type C3 fractures is healed in slightly varus position. 5. In conclusion, type C3 of the supracondylar fracture of femur should be reduced to the neutral or slightly valgus position, or the ends of distal cancellous screws should be penetrated the medial femoral cortex because of progressing varus deformity after operation.