A CASE SERIES COMPARISON BETWEEN THE NOVEL USE OF BLOCKING SCREWS IN ANTEGRADE IM NAIL FIXATION AGAINST PLATE FIXATION FOR OSTEOPOROTIC SUPRACONDYLAR FEMORAL FRACTURES

IntroductionTo compare the union rates and post-operative mobility of antegrade intramedullary nailing of osteoporotic traumatic supracondylar femoral fractures (AO classification A to C2) with those of plating.Materials/MethodsWe studied any traumatic intra or extra-articular supracondylar femoral fracture from 2005–2010. Patients were either admitted directly to our level 1 trauma centre or were referred from another hospital. Nineteen patients were identified, consisting of primarily fixation with five antegrade nails and fourteen plates. We defined osteoporotic bone as being present in anyone over sixty years old or who had a clinical diagnosis. One nail and six plates were excluded due to young age or fracture severity. This left four nails, six less invasive stabilisation system plates and two dynamic condylar screw plates. Both groups were comparable with respect to age, sex and AO fracture classification.ResultsThere was a significant difference in achieving union between the two groups (p=0.040)....