Dual Implant Versus Single Implant Distal End of Femur

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF UTAH · Mar 14, 2022

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The incidence of distal femur fractures in elderly patients continues to increase, most recently having an incidence of 8.7/100,000/year. This trend likely accompanies the aging population and the increased rates of knee arthroplasty. While these fractures are far less common than geriatric hip fractures, distal femur fractures present similar treatment challenges. Elderly distal femur fractures tend to occur in compromised hosts with poor bone mineral density. Similar to geriatric hip fractures, care emphasizes early mobilization to avoid the complications associated recumbency, including ...

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Patient age 60 years or greater,
• • Femur fracture distal to the femoral diaphysis,
• • Operative treatment within 72 hours of presenting to the treating hospital,
• • Patient was previously ambulatory,
• • Fracture amendable to either single or dual implant fixation,
• • Informed consent can be obtained from the patient, family member, or power of attorney.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Associated major lower extremity fracture,
• • Ongoing infection,
• • History of metabolic bone disease (Paget's, etc),
• • Pathologic fracture,
• • Open fracture,
• • Severe cognitive impairment (Six Item Screener with 3 or more errors),
• • Stage 5 Parkinson's disease,
• • Significant femoral bone loss requiring planned staged bone grafting,
• • Vascular injury.