CASE REPORT   

Minerva Ortopedica e Traumatologica 2002 September;53(3):173-6

Copyright © 2002 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: Italian

Treatment of supracondylar fractures of the femur, proximal to a total knee replacement. Case report

Rosa M. A., Galli M., Muratori F., Liuzza F., Cicala G.

Treatment of supracondylar fractures of the femur in patients with knee arthroplasty is still a controversial issue. Internal osteosynthesis has been attempted with variable and unpredictable results. Supracondylar intramedullary nailing has been recently introduced into clinical practice with promising results. Retrograde nailing is easily performed through the intercondylar notch between the condyles of the commonly available cruciate sparing arthroplasties. The authors present a case of a patient with a cruciate sparing knee arthroplasty who substained a diaphyseal fracture at the apex of a supracondylar nail previously placed for a supracondylar fracture. Treatment was successfully carried out by the removal of the supracondylar nail and subsequent retrograde placement of a recently available locked nail. Treatment was achieved through a trans-tendineous access. The procedure did not affect the joint range of movement. The patient fully recovered within 2 months.