Case of Infected Non-Union of Distal Femur Treated with Ilizarov Fixator Assisted Knee Arthrodesis and Limb...

Femoral fractures in adults are around 3-6% and 0.4% of all the fractures are usually distal femoral fractures, frequently consisting of high-energy injuries which are associated with compound trauma. Conventionally, femoral-tibial fusion remains one of the last treatment choices for the recurrent septic failure.

We report a unique case where a 52-year-old male had presented with a post-operative infected non-union of distal femur and patella with discharging sinus and distal femur plate in situ. The patient presented to our outpatient department with complaints of pain and swelling over right knee with discharging sinus with fixed flexion deformity of 20° for 1-year post trauma and post-surgery. The discharging sinus was over lateral aspect of knee with purulent discharge. His blood parameters were suggestive of high erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and C-reactive protein levels and a Gram staining were suggestive of Gram-negative bacilli. X-ray showed non-union of distal femur and osteomyelitic changes and knee subluxation with distal femur plate and encirclage with K-wire for patella in situ. The patient underwents three-stage procedure of debridement with implant removal, followed by knee arthrodesis and ultimately limb lengthening surgery.

Our case report is unique and distinctive as it shows that, when a case of infected non-union of distal femur comes with stiff and non-salvageable knee with severe arthritic changes and financial constraints, we should consider for knee arthrodesis with ilizarov ring fixator and limb lengthening surgery. Although it yielded stiff knee but with functioning limb without limb length discrepancy.