Primary Arthroplasty versus Open Reduction and Internal Fixation of Distal Femur Fractures in Elderly Patients: A Systematic Review

Abstract

istal femoral fractures remains a challenging matter in elderly patients due to bad bone quality, bad compliance of patients, bad physical and psychological stance. Different methods of management including internal fixation by plates, intramedullary nailing and primary arthroplasty are used in these cases. The standard method of management used to be internal fixation by either plates or intramedullary nailing. However, many challenges have been recorded after these methods such as non-union, malalignment and stiff knee due to delayed mobilization. So, Primary arthroplasty is becoming a promising option for treatment of complicated distal femoral fractures in elderly patients as it provides many advantages over traditional methods of internal fixation such as early mobilization and avoiding non-union and knee stiffness, with shorter length of hospital stay and less cost on health-economics.