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Coronal plane small-fragment fixation seen as reliable for supracondylar intercondylar femur fractures
Results from this study indicated small-fragment cortical lag screws placed in the sagittal plane reliably maintained and stabilized coronal plane fractures occurring with supracondylar intercondylar distal femur fractures.
Researchers prospectively collected data from a single hospital orthopedic database on 44 knees with 56 coronal plane fractures surgically managed for supracondylar intercondylar distal femur factures. The average follow-up was 24.5 months, with a minimum of 6-months follow-up. The Orthopaedic Trauma Association and AO classification systems were used to classify fractures. Investigators also used the Gustilo and Anderson criteria to classify open injuries. Investigators noted that if plain radiographs showed fracture healing, patients were allowed to start weight-bearing at 12-weeks postoperatively. Radiographs were used to assess coronal plane fractures, fracture displacement and implant failures.
Investigators noted all but one coronal plane fracture progressed to radiographic union without displacement of the coronal fragment. According to researchers, one knee had a supracondylar nonunion and avascular necrosis of distal femoral condyle. Overall, findings showed that of the 44 knees, 15 required secondary surgeries unrelated to the coronal plane fracture. ‒ by Monica Jaramillo
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