Operative stabilization of supracondylar femur fractures above total knee arthroplasty: A comparison of four treatment methods

• Published in: The Journal of arthroplasty Vol. 18; no. 7; pp. 834 - 839
• Main Authors: Althausen, Peter L, Lee, Mark A, Finkemeier, Christopher G, Meehan, John P, Rodrigo, Juan J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 2003
• Subjects: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee - adverse effects; External Fixators; Female; Femoral Fractures - etiology; Femoral Fractures - surgery; Fracture Fixation - methods; Humans; less-invasive stabilization system; Male; Middle Aged; minimally invasive percutaneous plate fixation; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures - methods; percutaneous plating; periprosthetic fractures; Prosthesis Failure; total knee arthroplasty; Treatment Outcome; total knee arthroplasty; minimally invasive percutaneous plate fixation; percutaneous plating; less-invasive stabilization system; periprosthetic fractures
• ISSN: 0883-5403; 1532-8406
• DOI: 10.1016/S0883-5403(03)00339-5

Periprosthetic fractures of the distal femur above a total knee arthroplasty present a challenging surgical problem for orthopedic surgeons. Numerous operative and nonoperative treatment options exist including casting, Rush rods, supracondylar nails, and plate fixation. Potentially significant complications are associated with all current treatment alternatives. Plate or nail constructs frequently achieve limited distal fixation, leading to loss of fixation and varus angulation. This complication was not observed with the Less Invasive Stabilization System (LISS). In addition, our early results demonstrate the superiority of LISS treatment with low infection rates, no requirement for acute bone grafting, and secure fixation allowing for immediate postoperative mobilization. LISS fixation may offer a superior surgical treatment option for periprosthetic distal femur fractures.