Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 10, 2025
Treatment with Locking Intramedullary Nailing for Intertrochanteric Fracture of the Femur Utilizing a New Awl with a Distal Positioner
Published on: June 6, 2025
Outcomes After Distal Femur Replacement for Fracture: A Multi-Institutional Retrospective Review
David C Landy1, Jeffrey A Foster2, Wyatt G S Southall3
1OrthoVirginia/Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA.
Objectives:
To estimate representative outcomes of patients who underwent distal femur replacement (DFR) for distal femur fractures (DFFs).
Design:
Retrospective Cohort Study.
Setting:
Twelve academic trauma centers in the United States.
Patient Selection Criteria:
Adult patients who underwent DFR for native or periprosthetic DFF (OTA/AO 33A1.1-33C3.3) from 2010 to 2022 were included. Patients who underwent DFR for infectious, oncologic, and/or other indications besides fracture fixation were excluded.
Outcome Measures And Comparisons:
The primary outcome was periprosthetic joint infection (PJI). Secondary outcomes included reoperation, 1-year mortality, and function. Outcomes were estimated using proportions and Kaplan-Meier curves with 95% confidence intervals (CI) and stratified by periprosthetic fracture with Fisher exact testing.
Results:
One hundred seventy-three patients were included, with 130 (75%) having a periprosthetic DFF. The median age was 77 [interquartile range, 70-84] and the median final follow-up was 6 months [interquartile range, 2-14], with 146 women (84%) and several medical comorbidities (63% American Society of Anesthesiologists class III and 24% American Society of Anesthesiologists class IV). The rate of PJI was 5.8% (95% CI, 3.1%-10.5%). PJI was 2.3% for native compared with 6.9% for periprosthetic DFF ( P = 0.45). The reoperation rate was 16.6% (95% CI, 11.7%-23.0%), and the 1-year mortality was 27% (95% CI, 20%-35%). Fifty-five percent of patients returned to their baseline function (95% CI, 46.9%-62.1%).
Conclusions:
DFR for native and periprosthetic DFF was associated with a PJI rate of 5.8%. The 1-year mortality rate was 27.0%, and the reoperation rate was 16.6%. Fifty-five percent of patients returned to their baseline function. DFR can be considered as an option in cases of complex native and periprosthetic DFF, although surgeons should continue to counsel patients on the considerable risks associated with DFR when assessing treatment options.
Level Of Evidence:
Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
More Related Videos
04:19Minimally Invasive Treatment for Thoracolumbar Burst Fracture Using Sagittal Alignment Screws and A Trauma Reduction Device
Published on: November 8, 2024
08:20A Reliable and Reproducible Critical-Sized Segmental Femoral Defect Model in Rats Stabilized with a Custom External Fixator
Published on: March 24, 2019
