To study the functional outcome in patients with compound supracondylar femur fracture managed using LCP: A prospective study

Author(s): B Sahithya and Zainab Sultana

Abstract: Background: Supracondylar and intercondylar fractures of femur are very often difficult to treat and they are notorious for many complications. Despite recent evolution in the operating techniques and surgical implants, debate continues around the choice of implant for management of distal femur fractures. By this study, we explore the capability of a distal femur locking plate to counter distal femur fractures. Aim: To assess the efficacy of LCP in maintenance of post-operative total functional range of movements over the knee. Methods: Prospective observational study conducted on 30 patients at Mamata General Hospital, Khammam with supracondylar femur fracture. Patients with open 3A, 3B, 3C distal femur fracture, based on Gustilo-Anderson classification were taken into the study. Follow-up at 3 months, 6 months, 12 months and 18 months was carried out and evaluation was done according to the Neer scoring system. Results: In our study, the functional outcome was assessed by Neer’s scoring system which revealed a satisfactory result upto a period of 6 months following which the results achieved at the end of 12&18 months showed excellent score where the p-value <0.001 and was considered significant. Conclusion: Overall scores from all the parameters assessed indicated a significant p-value. Choosing an ideal implant for fixation of compound supracondylar femur fracture is crucial. Our study, based on Neer’s score shows locking compression plate as one of the ideal implants.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.22271/ortho.2021.v7.i3d.2756