Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Center fixation method based on the intramedullary nail is more consistent with the bio-mechanical characteristics of the femur.
OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical effects of femoral condyle retrograde intramedullary nail and anatomical distal femur plate fixation for the treatment of distal femoral fractures.
METHODS: Thirty-five patients with distal femur fractures were treated with retrograde intramedullary nail fixation and 31 patients were treated with plate fixation, all the patients were followed-up for more than 1 year, and then the recovery of motion of knee joints and the time of bone healing were evaluated by Neer knee society function score criteria.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: All the patients were followed-up for 1 year. According to Neer knee society function score criteria, in the retrograde intramedullary nail group, 24 cases were excellent (69%), good in 9 cases (26%) and fair in 2 cases (6%); the excellent and good rate was 94%. The average bone healing time was 4.8 months. In the anatomical distal femur plate group, excellent in 21 cases (68%), good in 5 cases (16%), fair in 3 cases (10%), poor in 2 cases (6%), and the excellent and good rate was 84%, the average bone healing time was 6.5 months. The results show that retrograde interlocking intramedullary nail fixation is helpful for early ambulation, while the distal femur plate, with wide indication has relatively light damage to the articular surface and is conducive to the recovery of knee function. All the two internal fixation methods have good medical effects; we should select the compatible fixation according to the classification of distal femoral fractures.