Our experience with DF-LCP in the treatment of distal femoral fractures: A prospective study of 30 cases

Abstract

Distal femoral fractures have been one of the greatest treatment challenge since ages. Before 1970, conservative treatment is associated with risk related with prolonged bed rest, and immobilization, persistent angulatory deformity, knee joint incongruity and loss of knee motion with poor final outcome. Due to continued research by AO, better implants are now available promising better results. DF- LCP is one of those recently developed implants. Present study is designed to confirm the utility of DF-LCP as a better substitute for the treatment of supracondylar fracture femur. A prospective study was conducted from June 2016 to July 2018 in the Department of Orthopaedics on 30 patients (21-71 yrs old, 19 males, 11 females) with distal femoral fractures. They were treated using DF-LCP and followed up for 6 - 18 months. Results were evaluated using Neer’s rating System. Average union-time was 15.1 week. There were 2 delayed union and no nonunion. Average time taken for full weight bearing was 13.43 weeks. Overall average knee flexion in 30 patients in this study was 114.47°. Neer’s score was assigned for each patient after 24 to 36 weeks. Using this scale 16 cases (53.3%) showed excellent, 11 cases (36.7%) good and 3 cases (10%) poor result. Conclusion: DF-LCP is a better implant for OTA type A and type C supracondylar femur fractures in both young and elderly patients with osteoporosis.