Treatment of Distal Femoral Shaft and Supracondylar Fracture with aRetrograde Intramedullary Nailing

PURPOSE: Retrograde intramedullary nailing has been recommended as one of the treatment options for the distal femoral fracture, particularly in patients who are obese, are pregnant, has sustained ipsilateral femoral neck fracture, have multiple injuries. However there are some disadvantage such as post-arthrotomy infection, knee joint stiffness. This paper is to evaluate the result and complication of treatment of distal femoral fracture with a retrograde intramedullary nailing. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed 13 cases (distal femoral shaft fracture: 6 cases, supracondylar fracture: 7 cases) of the distal femoral fracture who had been treated with retrograde intramedullary nailing and follow up for more than 12 months from January 1999 to December 2001. The rate of bony union, range of motion of the knee, complications were evaluated. RESULTS: The mean duration of bony union was 20 weeks (range, 16~25 weeks). A case of delayed union was developed. In 4 cases of 13 cases showed posterior angulation below 6 degree, which did not need further treatment. According to Saunder's criteria, excellent result was achieved in 8 patients, good result in 5 patients, respectively. CONCLUSION: This study showed good clinical and radiological results of union with retrograde intramedullary nailing at the distal femoral fracture and ipsilateral multiple fracture