Description
In this informative presentation, Dr. Sunit Patil discusses the complexities of treating distal femur and paraprosthetic fractures. He shares insights from his clinical experience, highlighting a significant shift in fixation strategies over recent years. Initially using a single lateral locking plate approach— which faced challenges such as metalwork failure and poor bone quality in elderly patients— Dr. Patil notes that the failure rate was alarmingly high, leading to an exploration of alternatives.
To enhance patient outcomes and allow for early weight-bearing, a combination of nail and plate fixation has become the technique of choice. This method, despite traditional concerns regarding blood supply compromise, offers better stability and has resulted in improved fracture union rates. Dr. Patil illustrates the procedure with a case study of an 88-year-old female patient, detailing each surgical step from percutaneous fixation to the use of a retrograde nail and lateral locking plate.
He emphasizes that this innovative approach has been adopted for various patient profiles, including those with paraprosthetic fractures, stressing the importance of ensuring the integrity of knee replacements prior to surgical intervention.
Dr. Patil's presentation concludes with a summary of the benefits of the nail-plate fixation technique, considering it a revolutionary advancement in the treatment of distal femur fractures, promising patients immediate post-operative weight-bearing and a minimally invasive option.