Reversed tibial locking plates in management of traumatic ipsilateral periprosthetic fractures of the distal femur and proximal tibia after total knee arthroplasty

Abstract

Ipsilateral distal femoral and proximal tibial periprosthetic fracture following total knee arthroplasty is a rare complication and not often presented to the Emergency Department. We report a case of a 50-year-old man who had undergone a right total knee arthroplasty one year earlier and presented with periprosthetic fractures following a motor vehicle accident. He sustained comminuted fracture of lower third of right femur and proximal tibia, producing “Floating Total Knee” but the knee implants remained intact. He was subsequently treated with two reversed tibial locking plates for the femur and a single locking plate for the tibia. At the 6-month follow up, he was able to bear full weight and his range of motion of the knee was 10° to 90°. At the 8-month follow up, he was able to walk without any walking aid and the active range of movement of his knee was 10°- 110°. Early and prompt management of this condition warrants a comprehensive orthopaedic management which can ensure a good clinical outcome.