Abstract
Until 1960, conservative managemant was considered superior to operative treatment of distal femoral fracture. But with advancement of new fixation divices and techniques, open reduction and internal fixation is recent trend.
From May, 1986, to May, 1993, at Pusan Maryknoll hospital, the results of 39 cases of distal femoral fracture treated operatively with plate screw devices were analyzed after minimum follow up of 1 year according to the rating system of Schatzker and lambert.
The results were as follows:
1. Average radiologic union time was 16.3 weeks.
2. According to Schatzker and Lamberts criteria, excellent was 17 cases, good in 13 cases, fair in 5 cases and failure in 4 cases.
3. For fixation of distal femoral fracture with severe comminution at metaphyseal portion, the condylar blade plate and dynamic condylar screw showed better result than anatomical plate.
4. With extensile approach, the dynamic condylar screw showed excellent result for distal femoral fracture with intraarticular comminution.
We concluded that wide exposure enough for accurate reduction of fracture fragments aud joint surface and rigid internal fixation were the cornerstone for treatment of the distal femoral fracture.