Distal femoral fractures treated with condylar buttress plate in a West African hospital

Abstract

a b s t r a c tObjectives: The aim of this retrospective study was to present our experience using condylar buttress plate in the treatment of distal femoral fractures. Results: There were 22 men and 10 women with an average age was 44 (range 19e87) years.The fractures were classified as A1 (n ¼ 7; 21.8%), A2 (n ¼ 4; 12%), A3 (n ¼ 5; 15.6%); C1 (n ¼ 4; 12.5%), C2 (n ¼ 6; 18.8%), and C3 (n ¼ 6; 18.8%). The mean delay from injury to operation was 15 (range 1e27) days. Iliac bone graft was performed in four patients. Postoperatively, a posterior splint or a plaster cast was applied for 3 weeks. No patient had an intra-articular step-off of more than 2 mm. Sepsis of the operative wound occurred in two patients.Fractures healed in 22 (91.7%) patients with a mean duration of 4 (range 3e8) months.Twenty-four patients were followed up on an average of 15 (range 7e28) months. Varus deformity (>10 ) was observed in five (20.8%) patients. Knee flexion was less than 90 in 11 (45.3%) cases. Non-union occurred in two (8.3%) patients. Functional results were good to excellent in 11 (45.8%) patients and considered as fair or failure in 13 (54.2%). Conclusion:The current report also identifies varus deformity as a major concern of this implant. The main finding of this study was the ensuing knee stiffness after a prolonged immobilization and delay in performing surgery and rehabilitation program due to socioeconomic and logistic reasons.