Supracondylar nailing of periprosthetic fractures above total knee arthroplasties

Abstract

Supracondylar nailing was performed in 10 patients who sustained periprosthetic fractures above total knee arthroplasties. The fractures occurred in women with an average age of 67.4 years (range, 42-92 years). All fractures healed in a satisfactory alignment in an average duration of 13.2 weeks (range, 12-18 weeks). None of the fractures needed bone grafting. There were no cases of wound infections, nonunion or delayed union. All patients achieved satisfactory range of movement of the knee joint and preoperative functional status. Main complications included loosening of a distal screw in one patient and fracture above the short nail following a second injury in another patient. Use of a longer nail where possible and a condylar bolt for distal locking can easily avoid these complications. We conclude that supracondylar nailing, despite some limitations, is a satisfactory method of treatment for a majority of displaced periprosthetic fractures above well-fixed total knee arthroplasties. © Springer-Verlag Italia 2007.