Implant-associated Hoffa's Fracture in a Floating Knee: A Case Report and Review of Literature

Complex floating knee in the presence of a previous implant creates an unusual fracture pattern which is a rare entity and poses a unique challenge in management and subsequent rehabilitation.

A 56-year-old psychiatric patient who jumped from height had a polytrauma and a floating knee injury. Following the primary care and damage control surgery with knee-spanning fixator at some other centers, he was shifted to us on ventilator care and was directly admitted to intensive care unit for further management. On presentation, it was a floating knee injury with gross comminution of both femur and tibia with associated Hoffa with bent implant in situ. It was managed by plating of both lower end femur and tibia and at the end of 6 months, showed a satisfactory outcome.

Floating knee injuries further complicated by the presence of the previous implant in a polytrauma situation poses a unique challenge which requires meticulous surgical planning and prolonged rehabilitation to achieve satisfactory outcome.