Treatment of Fractures of the Adult Femurs with Compression Plates

Yoo, Myung Chul; Ahn, Jin Whan; Park, Dong Wook

Abstract

It is generally accepted that fractures should be treated by closed methods, however for certain femoral fractures in adults, closed methods yields an unacceptable high incidence of nounlon, malunion, delayed unlon, and disability. For these fractures various methods of open reduction and internal fixation have been recommended, but unfortunately, there are frequent reports of complications and failures. The recently developed association for study of Internal fixation (ASIF) compression plating apparatus, seems to satisfy the basic objectives of internal flxatlons: namely - Accurate anatomic reduction, - Mechanically stable fixation, - Rapid mobillzation of the joints. In view of these considerations, during the period Jan. 73 - Mar 80, 165 cases of ASIF compression plates wlth adult femur fractures were performed. Of this total, 104 cases were followed and analazed. Patients averaged three years and five months of followup consultation. The shortest follow up period was seven months, and the longest, five years and seven months. The results were as follows: The period of average bony union was 11.7 weeks with compression plates and screw fixation. - Primary bone bealing occured at rigld compression plate in transverse fractures with positve compression. - Rigid compresslon plate is suitable for adult femoral shaft fractures. - Rigid compression plate is flxed at the adult femoral shaft fracture without the aid of external support and allows early joint motion and ambulation. - Single compression plate application was employed as more suitable for adult femoral shaft fracture treatment than dual compression plates.