Use of a supracondylar nail for treatment of a supracondylar fracture of the femur following total knee arthroplasty.

Abstract

Treatment of displaced or comminuted supracondylar fractures of the femur following total knee arthroplasty is challenging and problematic. Closed treatment has been associated with malunion, nonunion, and loss of motion, whereas early operative treatment has been associated with infection as well as nonunion. Intramedullary fixation of these fractures has the theoretical advantage of preserving periosteal blood supply while allowing early motion. The use of a nail specifically designed for supracondylar femur fractures to treat a a periprosthetic fracture about a well-fixed total knee arthroplasty is reported. This device provides a valuable treatment option to the surgeon treating this difficult problem.