Primary total knee arthroplasty for complex distal femur fractures in elderly patients

Fractures of the distal femur in the geriatric population are associated with a high incidence of postoperative complications and poor results. Nonunion, loss of fixation, and malunion of these fractures occur with all types of treatment. The postoperative treatment of these patients demands a lengthy period of limited weightbearing that can increase the rate of medical complications. Our experience with these challenging fractures caused us to consider the use of a primary distal femur replacement total knee arthroplasty with the goals of elimination of fracture healing issues, early mobilization, and immediate weightbearing. Twenty-four distal femoral replacement knee arthroplasties were done from July 1998 to January 1999. Reviewed with a mean followup of 11 months, 17 patients (71%) resumed their preoperative level of ambulation. Knee range of motion averaged 1 degree - 103 degrees. No major surgical or significant medical complications were experienced by these patients. Our experiences with this small number of patients have shown that an immediate arthroplasty offers many advantages over open reduction and internal fixation for geriatric patients with poor bone quality, preexisting degenerative joint disease, and medical problems.