Femoral plating

• Published in: The Orthopedic clinics of North America Vol. 25; no. 4; p. 625
• Main Authors: Riemer, B L, Foglesong, M E, Miranda, M A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.10.1994
• Subjects: Arteries - injuries; Bone Plates; Femoral Fractures - complications; Femoral Fractures - physiopathology; Femoral Fractures - surgery; Femoral Neck Fractures - complications; Femoral Neck Fractures - surgery; Humans; Injury Severity Score; Knee - physiopathology; Leg - blood supply; Multiple Trauma - surgery; Outcome and Process Assessment (Health Care); Postoperative Care; Prosthesis Failure; Range of Motion, Articular; Stainless Steel; Titanium; Weight-Bearing; Wounds, Nonpenetrating - surgery
• ISSN: 0030-5898
• DOI: 10.1016/S0030-5898(20)31947-7

We have demonstrated that we are able to meet both trauma and orthopedic goals with immediate plate fixation of femoral fractures in patients with blunt polytrauma. Our femoral fracture mortality rate is less than our predicted institutional mortality rate of patients with comparative injury severity scores. Ipsilateral femoral neck and shaft fractures are easily repaired with femoral plating. Infections, even in open fractures and systemically unstable patients, are rare. Implant failures have been infrequent and are easily reconstructed with intramedullary nails. Knee motion has been restored reliably. Stainless steel DCP plate fixation requires primary bone grafting. Achieving union and subsequent knee rehabilitation often requires that patients remain on crutches for up to 6 months. Our experience with titanium LCDCP plates is preliminary, but we are seeing a significant amount of callus formation and, perhaps, earlier union and bearing weight.