Study of outcome of knee joint in patients with fracture distal femur versus fracture ipsilateral femur and tibia

Abstract

The posture on the two wheeler at the speed we travel, makes knee the vulnerable joint of all in any of the mishaps. We as orthopedic surgeons see the fractures around the knee joint as one of the most studied concept in the subject. This is a prospective study conducted, over 2 years, in Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences, Deemed to be University, Karad. In this study, 20 cases of fracture distal femur and 20 cases of ipsilateral fracture femur and tibia were studied to evaluate outcome of knee joint and post surgical stabilization of fractures. The fractured limb was stabilized with splinting the limb in Thomas splint or plaster slab. The type of fracture, type of fracture fixation, duration of hospital stay, time of union and time to start weight bearing are evaluated. According to Neer’s score, Good outcome was found in both Fracture Distal femur and Ipsilateral Fracture Femur and tibia. The functional outcome was found to be better in diaphyseal fractures femur and tibia treated with intramedullary interlock nailing which allowed early mobilization and weight bearing than in intra-articular fractures treated with plating. Bony union occurred early in closed, diaphyseal and simple transverse or oblique fractures and delayed in open, intraarticular and comminuted fractures.