Risk Factors for Failure of Locked Plate Fixation of Distal Femur Fractures

• DOI: 10.1097/bot.0b013e31829e6dd0
• Publication Date: 2013-06-12T11:50:02Z
• Authors: William M. Ricci; Philipp N. Streubel; Saam Morshed; Cory A. Collinge; Sean E. Nork; Michael J. Gardner
• Keywords: Implant Failure; Bone grafting

Locked plating has become a standard method to treat supracondylar femur fractures. Emerging evidence indicates that this of treatment is associated with modest failure rates. The goals study were determine risk factors for complications and provide technical recommendations locked fractures.Retrospective review.Three level I or II trauma centers.Three hundred twenty-six patients 335 distal fractures (OTA 33A C, 33% open) treated lateral plates studied. average patient age was 57 years (range 17-97 years), 55% women, 34% obese, 19% diabetic, 24% smokers.All managed open reduction internal fixation using femoral plate construct included screws in the fragment nonlocked, locked, combination nonlocked proximal fragment.Risk reoperation promote union, deep infection, implant failure.After index procedure, 64 (19%) required including 30 had planned staged bone grafting because metaphyseal defect after debridement an fracture. Independent union infection diabetes Risk fracture, smoking, increased body mass index, shorter length.The identified diabetes, length. Most are out surgeon control but useful when considering prognosis. Use relatively long factor can reduce failure.Prognostic II. See instructions authors complete description levels evidence.