Publication:

Comparison of study of a dynamic condylar screw surgery and distal femoral locking compression plate technique in distal femoral fractures

Background An extensive soft tissue damage, intra articular extension, severe comminution and injury to the quadriceps mechanism make the management of the distal fractures of the femur a significant challenge. The advent of techniques such as dynamic condylar screw surgery and distal femoral locking compression plate technique have improved the, management of these fractures compared to the conventional methods. We in the present study have attempted to compare the outcomes of Dynamic condylar screw surgery and distal femoral locking compression plate technique.

Methods 72 patients over the age of 20 years who sustained simple or compound factures of the lower 1/3rd of femur and admitted into our hospital were included into the study. The patients were divided into 2 groups, one group who underwent Dynamic condylar screw surgery and the other groups were managed by distal femoral locking compression plate technique.

Results The most common cause of fracture was road traffic accidents, involving both two wheelers as well as four wheelers (51.4%). 19.4% of the patients had a fall from height and 13.9% had a fall from standing height. The mean operative time in DCS was about 121 minutes in comparison to 118 minutes in the LCP. The average hospital stay and the no of RBCs used were comparable in both the cases. Although the mean number of days for full weight bearing as well as the average time of union of the fracture was marginally lower in LCP than in DCS, it was not significant.

Conclusions It is therefore observed that both condylar screw and the locking plate are very similar in their performance and satisfaction to the patients, although distal femoral locking plate is better in comminuted distal fracture compared to the dynamic condylar screw fracture management.