The antegrade angle-stable locking intramedullary nail for type-C distal femoral fractures: a thirty four case experience.

INTRODUCTION: This is a retrospective study that provides initial experience and verifies the effectiveness of the newly-designed antegrade interlocking angle-stable intramedullary nail (IAIN) combined with half-threaded cancellous screws in the management of type-C (AO/OTA classification) distal femoral fractures.

METHODS: During a period of 30 months, 34 patients (mean age 43.1 years) with type-C (AO/OTA classification) fractures of the distal femur were treated with IAIN and half-threaded cancellous screws were reviewed. Peri-operative and post-operative parameters were analyzed.

RESULTS: All of the fractures healed in a mean time of 12.6 weeks with no incidences of malunion, nonunion or infection. No secondary failure of fixation occurred. Partial weight bearing was initiated in an average of 7.4 weeks post-operatively, with full weight bearing initiated in 13.8 weeks. All of the patients, except for one, gained full extension. The mean flexion of the knee joint was 110.1°, while the mean Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) knee score was 85.2.

CONCLUSION: The IAIN and half-threaded cancellous screws provided a reliable fixation that facilitated uncomplicated outcomes and uneventful early mobilization in treating type-C fractures of the distal femur.