The use of a Ilizarov external fixator in the treatment of supracondylar and intercondylar fracture of distal femur

Abstract

Distal femoral fractures account for approximately 4% of all femoralfractures. The most common method of treatment is internal fixation using various plates (condylar, dynamic condylar, locked) ornails. Although internal fixation is used for primary and revision cases, secure bone implant fixation is vital for the success of these techniques and it has a high rate of failure, up to 25%, in osteoporotic, geriatric patients. In osteoporotic distal femoral fractures, in fractures with bone loss and also in open high- energy fractures with associated contamination, additional devitalization of metaphyseal bone fragments from extensive surgical exposure and use of bulky internal fixation devices may result in septic or aseptic non-union .

Internal fixation methods have the disadvantages of a lengthy period of limited weight bearing and its complications including deep venous thrombosis (DVT), pneumonia, and decubitus ulcers, which result in mortality rates up to 20% in the geriatric population.