Meta-analysis of the clinical efficacy and safety of single versus dual plate in the treatment of comminuted distal femur fractures

Biomechanical comparison of different double plate constructs for distal supracondylar comminuted femur fractures (AO/OTA 33-A3)

INTRODUCTION

Dual plating for distal femoral fractures, especially with a metaphyseal comminution, is biomechanically superior compared to single lateral plating, promotes fracture union and prevents complications. However, the optimal placement and length of the additional medial plate are still unknown. Thus, we aimed to biomechanically compare three different double plate constructs for distal femoral fractures.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A distal femoral fracture with a metaphyseal comminution (AO/OTA 33-A3) was created in synthetic femora and stabilized according to the following groups of 6 specimens each: Single lateral plate (SP), double plate with anteromedial oblique locking plate (DPOB), double plate with parallel medial locking plate with 4 screws (DP4S) and double plate with parallel medial locking plate with 6 screws (DP6S). Afterwards, the femora were tested axially with a quasi-static load of 400 N as well as torsionally with 5 Nm of internal and external rotation. Interfragmentary motion and rotation were measured with an optical 3D motion analysis system.

RESULTS

Fracture gap motion and varus-valgus tilt under axial testing were significantly lower with DPOB, DP4S and DP6S than with SP (p = 0.02) without a significant difference between the double plate constructs. DP4S and DP6S showed a significant lower anteroposterior tilt under axial loading than SP (p = 0.02), whereas DPOB showed no significant difference compared to SP but had a significantly higher anteroposterior tilt than DP6S (p = 0.02). Under internal and external rotation testing, anteroposterior shift was significantly different, and axial rotation was significantly lower with DPOB, DP4S and DP6S compared to SP (p = 0.02) without a significant difference between the double plates.

CONCLUSION

Dual plating is biomechanically superior under axial and torsional loading compared to the traditional single lateral plating for distal femoral fractures with metaphyseal comminution. A parallel arrangement of double plates is biomechanically more effective in resisting anteroposterior tilt, whereas the length of parallel medial plates (with 4 or 6 screws) has no influence on the biomechanical performance.

The KNEE study: A prospective multicentre observational study of 459 fractures around the knee in older patients

BACKGROUND

The KNEE Study is a prospective multicentre service evaluation examining the current UK management of fragility fractures around the knee. It aims to describe operative decision making, causes of treatment delays, weight-bearing strategies, and post-operative management.

METHODS

Data were prospectively collected across a 4-month period via a collaborative approach. All patients aged >60 with a fracture of the proximal tibia or distal femur were included. Data collected include injury classification, operative vs non-operative management, time to theatre, post-operative weight bearing, and post-operative optimisation as per BOAST guidelines for frail older patients.

RESULTS

Data were available for 459 patients across 39 centres. This included 252 distal femoral fractures, and 207 proximal tibial fractures. Distal femoral fractures were significantly older (81.5 vs 73.3), had poorer mobility (42 % mobile ≤1 stick vs 79 %), and were more comorbid (median charlson co-morbidity index 5 vs 3) than proximal tibial fractures. Operative management was undertaken in 292/459 cases (198/252 femur, 94/207 tibia). When operative management was undertaken, there was a delay >36 hours to theatre in 62.8 % of cases. The main reasons for this were theatre capacity (42.6 %) and availability of a specialist surgeon (25.1 %). Only 11.5 % of cases were delayed pending medical optimisation or anticoagulant reversal. Patients managed operatively were significantly more likely to weight-bear on the first day post treatment (69.5 % vs 55.8 %). Operatively managed patients were significantly more likely to receive post-operative standards of care including Geriatric review, physio assessment, and bone health assessment.

CONCLUSION

Early return to weight bearing and ongoing secondary prevention are core tenants in the management of fragility fractures. Management of fragility fractures around the knee continues to lag behind that of hip fractures, with lower rates of weight bearing, slower access to theatre, and poorer post-operative care.