Dual Plate Fixation of Periprosthetic Distal Femur Fractures

OBJECTIVES: Dual implants for distal femur periprosthetic fractures is a growing area of interest for these challenging fractures with dual plating (DP) emerging as a viable construct for these injuries. In the current study, an experience with DP constructs is described.Design: Retrospective case series with comparison group.Setting: Level 1 academic trauma center.Patient Selection Criteria: Adults >50 years old sustaining comminuted OTA/AO 33-A2 or 33-A3 DFPF treated with either DP or a single distal femur locking plating (DFLP). Patients with simple 33-A1 fractures were excluded. Prior to 2018, patients underwent DFLP after which the treatment of choice became DP.Outcome Measures and Comparisons: Reoperation rate, alignment, and complications.RESULTS: 34 patients treated with DFLP and 38 with DP met inclusion and follow up criteria. Average follow up was 18.2 +/- 13.8 months in the DFLP group and 19.8 +/- 16.1 months in the DP group (P = 0.339). The average patient age in the DFLP group was 74.8 +/- 7.3 years compared to 75.9 +/- 11.3 years in the DP group. There were no statistical differences in demographics, fracture morphology, loss of reduction, or reoperation for any cause (P >.05). DP patients were more likely to be weight bearing in the twelve-week postoperative period (P <0.001) and return to their baseline ambulatory status (P = 0.004) compared to DFLP patients.CONCLUSIONS: Dual plating of distal femoral periprosthetic fractures maintained coronal alignment with a low reoperation rate even with immediate weight bearing and these patients regained baseline level of ambulation more reliably as compared to patients treated with a single distal femoral locking plate.LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.