Distal femoral fractures, results of operative treatment

In the period from 1974 to 1980 35 patients with distal femoral fractures were treated operatively by internal fixation using AO-methods with functional aftertreatment. There were four local complications. The results in a completely documented group of 24 patients are discussed. Our experiences confirm that condylar plate fixation with functional aftertreatment as developed by the Swiss AO-group has virtually solved the technical problems associated with the simpler mono-, inter- and supracondylar fractures. Even in shattered comminuted fractures with severe damage to soft tissues and articular cartilage the ultimate results were generally good.