A Study of Supracondylar and Intercondylar Fractures of the Femur

Fractures of the distal third of the femur proved to be very difficult to treat regardless of selection of treatment method whether surgical or nonsurgical. There are too many difficulties in both accurate reduction with traction and subsquent maintenance of reduction with cast when nonsurgical methods were used, as compared with the problems encountered with accurate internal fixation. Also, there are too many complications when nonoperative methods were used. Recent development of more efficient metallic devices for internal fixation and cast brace, and traction methods will improve the results of the treatments. Forty one cases of supracondylar, intercondylar, and condylar fractures of the femur, which were treated at the department of orthopaedic surgery, college of medicne, Ewha Womans Univeristy during the period from March 1970 to December 1982 has been analysed clinically, and following results were obtained:1) Among 41 cases, 27 cases(65.9%) were male. The most common cause was traffic accident with 25 cases(61.0%) and next was slipping with 7 cases(17.1%). 2) By the Neer's classification, intercondylar fractures of the femur were observed in 27 cases(65.9%), and the most commcn was type III with 11 cases. 3) By the evaluation of Schatzker and Lambert, the results of treatment were satisfactory in 72.7% of the patient with operative method, and only in 37.5% of the patient with conservative method. 4) The results, in the cases of inadequate initial management, severe comminuted supracondylar and intercondylar fractures of the femur, open fractures, prolonged immobilization of the knee joint for 13 weeks, and delayed operative internal fixation of more than 4 weeks were usually fair to good. 5) The results, in the cases of mobilization of the knee joint at 6 weeks from injuries and at 1 week from operative internal fixation were usually excellent to good. 6) Author's methods which consist of making the Z-incision of tensor fascia lata for wide exposure of the operative field, using bone hooks, and temporary fixation by two K-wires were satisfactory for easy reduction of the distal fragment-