An alternative treatment for osteoporotic Su Type III periprosthetic supracondylar femur fractures: Double locking plate fixation

Abstract

Introduction: Patients with Su Type III fractures based on total knee arthroplasty (TKA) constitute a patient group with problematic treatment and management. Although it has difficulties, open reduction and internal fixation is one of the treatment options. Method: A retrospective evaluation was made of 22 patients surgically treated in our clinic with double locking, low contact titanium plate and screw for a Su Type III periprosthetic fracture based on TKA. The patients were evaluated with bone mineral densitometry, postoperative Knee Society Score (KSS), WOMAC and radiological evaluations. Results: The mean follow-up period of the patients was 68.6 ± 15.5 months, with pain-free weight-bearing determined at 4.9 ± 1.1 months and mean radiological union at 18.5 ± 4.3 weeks. Revision was required because of non-union in 2 (9.09%) cases. The postoperative KSS value was 81.8 ± 7.8, the WOMAC value was 78.1 ± 5.3 and the T-score was −3.3 ± 0.3. At the final follow-up examination, a correction loss (4.9° ± 1.5°) was determined in the mean knee valgus angle according to the mechanical axis, which was statistically significant but remained within the physiological limits (p = 0.21). Conclusion: In addition to providing the advantages of rigid fixation together with early and effective rehabilitation, satisfactory clinical and radiological results were obtained with the application of double locking plate and screw in the treatment of periprosthetic femoral fractures based on TKA, with osteoporosis. Level of evidence: Level IV, Therapeutic study. Keywords: Periprosthetic fracture, Knee arthroplasty, Osteoporosis, Locking plate fixation