Original Article DISTAL FEMUR FRACTURE FIXED WITH LOCKING PLATE * ** *** Zulfiqar Ahmad , Tariq Mahmood , Faisal Mahmood * Assistant Professor Orthopedic, Aziz Fatima Medical and Dental College, Faisalabad ** Associate Professor General Surgery, Aziz Fatima Medical and Dental College, Faisalabad *** Registrar, Orthopedic Surgery, Aziz Fatima Medical and Dental College, Faisalabad INTRODUCTION: Distal femoral fractures are reported to be 6% [1] of femoral fractures. In young population, it is usually related to the high-energy trauma while the old aged patients are those having a low- JUMDC Vol. 8, Issue 4, October-December 2017 67 Corresponding Author: ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVE: To record the complications and clinical outcomes of locking plate used for the management of distal femoral fractures. METHODOLOGY: A total of 100 cases were selected for the treatment of distal femur shaft fracture. Closed or open reduction and internal fixation of the supracondylar femoral fractures adopting supine position with the help of fluoroscope was done. Each patient was treated according to the particular type of injury, associated injuries, location of the fracture and involvement of the soft tissue. Internal fixation of the metaphyseal part of the fracture by adopting open or submuscular approach was performed. Patients mobilization was done on the basis of pattern of femur fracture and constellation of injuries. Until the signs of healing alongwith resolution of fracture lines or formation of callus, the weight bearing was delayed while the usual physical therapy was advised. The patients were followed up on a regular interval at 2, 6, 12 weeks, 6 months, 12 months and 24 months. Clinical examination was done for sensory and motor examination, knee stability, range of motion and ambulation was also performed. Radiographic examination was also done. We considered radiographic union as bridging of the fracture site at 3 cortices by callus or cortical continuity as well as obliteration of the fracture line. The delayed union was defined as missing radiographic evidence of union of fracture with continued progress towards healing at six-month time whereas varus angulation >10° at fracture healing was defined as malunion. RESULTS: Out of a total 100 cases of distal femur fracture, mean age of the patients was 53.47+4.78, (54% were male and 46% females). Motor vehicle accidents were recorded as 38%, low energy fall was found in 37%, 8% for motorcycle accident and high energy fall, 5% had unknown mechanism of injury while 4% had sports injuries. Final healing status reveal that 90% of the cases had healing, 4% had non-union, 4% had total knee replacement while antibiotic spacer after infection total knee replacement in 1% and 1% had below knee amputation. Clinical outcome o o (range of motion) according to Kristensen was recorded as 3% who had <60 , 18% had 60-94 , o o 10% had 95-104 while 64% had >104 and 5% had unknown or not applicable. CONCLUSION: Despite adopting modern techniques fixation of locked periarticular plating, distal femoral fractures still result in poor clinical outcome and persistent disability. Further studies are required to determine the factors which may improve outcome. KEYWORDS: Distal Femur Fracture, locked plating, Clinical outcome Zulfiqar Ahmad Assistant Professor, Orthopedic Aziz Fatima Medical College and Hospital, Faisalabad Email: doc.ortho.zulf@gmail.com