Scholarlink

Purpose <p>Distal femur fractures are challenging to manage and fixation with intramedullary nails or plates alone can fail. Linked nail plate constructs (NPC) are increasingly used for complex cases. This five-year review from a UK major trauma centre reports indications and patient outcomes.</p> Methods <p>Patients treated for a distal femoral fracture with a NPC between 1st January 2020 and 1st January 2025 were identified. Patient demographics, mechanism of injury, fracture classification, procedural characteristics, postoperative weight-bearing status, union rates, complications and mortality were recorded.</p> Results <p>Thirty-two patients were identified with a mean age of 70&#xa0;years (20 to 98). Twenty-four (75%) patients were female with a median ASA of 3. There were five (16%) open fractures and ten (31%) peri-prosthetic fractures. Eight (25%) NPCs were revision operations following failure of primary fixation. All operations were performed by at least one consultant. In total, 31 (97%) patients were permitted unrestricted weight bearing postoperatively. Clinical union was achieved in 25 (96%) of 26 patients available for follow-up. There were no significant complications. Mortality rate at 30&#xa0;days, 3&#xa0;months and 12&#xa0;months was 6%, 6% and 16%, respectively.</p> Conclusions <p>This study supports the use of nail plate construct (NPC) in the management of both primary and revision surgery for complex distal femoral fractures. Among 32 patients with a mean age of 70&#xa0;years, NPC permitted immediate unrestricted weight bearing (97%) with a high rate of union (96%) and a low complication and mortality rates. These findings highlight NPC as an effective option for managing complex distal femur fractures.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Nail plate construct in complex distal femur fractures allow safe, early unrestricted weight bearing with high rates of union and a low rate of failure: five-year experience at a UK major trauma centre

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年10月5日

查看全文
  • Tom Barrow,
  • Anthony Rayner,
  • David Crone,
  • Enis Guryel,
  • Simon Bellringer,
  • Alastair Robertson

摘要

Purpose

Distal femur fractures are challenging to manage and fixation with intramedullary nails or plates alone can fail. Linked nail plate constructs (NPC) are increasingly used for complex cases. This five-year review from a UK major trauma centre reports indications and patient outcomes.

Methods

Patients treated for a distal femoral fracture with a NPC between 1st January 2020 and 1st January 2025 were identified. Patient demographics, mechanism of injury, fracture classification, procedural characteristics, postoperative weight-bearing status, union rates, complications and mortality were recorded.

Results

Thirty-two patients were identified with a mean age of 70 years (20 to 98). Twenty-four (75%) patients were female with a median ASA of 3. There were five (16%) open fractures and ten (31%) peri-prosthetic fractures. Eight (25%) NPCs were revision operations following failure of primary fixation. All operations were performed by at least one consultant. In total, 31 (97%) patients were permitted unrestricted weight bearing postoperatively. Clinical union was achieved in 25 (96%) of 26 patients available for follow-up. There were no significant complications. Mortality rate at 30 days, 3 months and 12 months was 6%, 6% and 16%, respectively.

Conclusions

This study supports the use of nail plate construct (NPC) in the management of both primary and revision surgery for complex distal femoral fractures. Among 32 patients with a mean age of 70 years, NPC permitted immediate unrestricted weight bearing (97%) with a high rate of union (96%) and a low complication and mortality rates. These findings highlight NPC as an effective option for managing complex distal femur fractures.