Retrograde Intramedullary Nailing vs. Lateral Locking Plate Fixation for Distal Femur Fractures: Which Technique is Superior?

Basit Öğe Kaydı
dc.contributor.authorGuzel, Ismail
dc.contributor.authorAltunkilic, Tarik
dc.contributor.authorAri, Bunyamin
dc.contributor.authorBoz, Mehmet
dc.date.accessioned2026-06-19T06:37:30Z
dc.date.available2026-06-19T06:37:30Z
dc.date.issued2025
dc.departmentMalatya Turgut Özal Üniversitesi
dc.description.abstractObjective Distal femur fractures are challenging to treat, especially in elderly osteoporotic patients. Retrograde intramedullary nailing (RIMN) and lateral locking plate (LP) fixation are commonly used surgical methods for these fractures. This study aimed to compare the clinical and radiological outcomes of these two techniques. Methods In this retrospective study, a total of 72 patients with distal femur fractures classified according to the AO/OTA system and treated surgically were included. Patients were divided into two groups: RIMN (n=36) and LP (n=36). Demographic data, fracture classification, surgical method, operative time, intraoperative blood loss, early weight-bearing status, knee range of motion, union time, and complication rates were evaluated. Additionally, union rate, infection, implant failure, and reoperation requirement were compared. A power analysis was conducted assuming 70% power to detect a clinically significant difference. Statistical analyses included T-test, Mann-Whitney U test, Chi-square test, and Fisher's exact test. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to assess union time. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results The union rate was 86.1% in the RIMN group and 75.0% in the LP group. The average union time was 15.4 weeks for RIMN and 17.2 weeks for LP. Knee range of motion was significantly better in the RIMN group (115.2 degrees vs. 110.4 degrees, p=0.03). Early weight-bearing was achieved in 61.1% of RIMN patients and 44.4% of LP patients (p=0.11). The overall complication rate was 16.7% in the RIMN group and 25.0% in the LP group. Infection rates were 5.6% and 8.3%, respectively. Implant failure was observed in 5.6% of patients in both groups. Reoperation was required in 8.3% of RIMN and 13.9% of LP patients. Conclusion Our findings suggest that RIMN may offer advantages over LP in terms of higher union rates, shorter union time, and better functional outcomes, particularly in osteoporotic patients. However, both techniques demonstrated acceptable complication rates, and treatment choice should be tailored to the fracture pattern and patient characteristics. Further prospective, randomized studies are needed to support these findings.
dc.identifier.doi10.52965/001c.140710
dc.identifier.issn2035-8237
dc.identifier.issn2035-8164
dc.identifier.pmid40823279
dc.identifier.urihttps://doi.org/10.52965/001c.140710
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12899/5071
dc.identifier.volume17
dc.identifier.wosWOS:001669500400003
dc.identifier.wosqualityQ2
dc.indekslendigikaynakWeb of Science
dc.indekslendigikaynakPubMed
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherOpen Medical Publ Llc
dc.relation.ispartofOrthopedic Reviews
dc.relation.publicationcategoryMakale - Uluslararası Hakemli Dergi - Kurum Öğretim Elemanı
dc.rightsinfo:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.snmzKA_WOS_20260612
dc.subject[Keyword Not Available]
dc.titleRetrograde Intramedullary Nailing vs. Lateral Locking Plate Fixation for Distal Femur Fractures: Which Technique is Superior?
dc.typeArticle

Dosyalar

Koleksiyon

WoS İndeksli Yayınlar Koleksiyonu
PubMed İndeksli Yayınlar Koleksiyonu