Distal Femur Fx: ORIF(Open Reduction and Internal Fixation) vs DFR (Distal Femur Replacement Total Knee Arthroplasty)

Evaluation of the Management of Periprosthetic Distal Femur Fractures and Native Knee Distal Femur Fractures, Comparing Open Reduction Internal Fixation With Distal Femur Replacement, a Prospective Cohort Study

Supracondylar femur periprosthetic fractures about a total knee arthroplasty (TKA) are a catastrophic and challenging complication of TKA and unfortunately are increasing in incidence. Fixation of these fractures can be challenging due to altered anatomy for the TKA and the presence of the metallic femoral component and have a relatively high complication rate. As a result, some surgeons elect to treat these fractures with a distal femur replacement total knee arthroplasty (DFR). The purpose of this study is to prospectively evaluate periprosthetic femur fractures treated with ORIF or DFR and compare various outcomes measures (Get up and go times, KOOS Jr score)

Supracondylar femur periprosthetic fractures about a total knee arthroplasty (TKA) are a catastrophic and challenging complication of TKA and unfortunately are increasing in incidence. Fixation of these fractures can be challenging due to altered anatomy for the TKA and the presence of the metallic femoral component and have a relatively high complication rate. As a result, some surgeons elect to treat these fractures with a distal femur replacement total knee arthroplasty (DFR). Several small retrospective studies have compared outcomes with mixed results. To the authors' knowledge there are no prospective studies evaluating the outcomes after treatment of periprosthetic distal femur fractures. The purpose of this study is to prospectively evaluate periprosthetic femur fractures treated with ORIF or DFR and compare various outcomes measures (Get up and go times, KOOS Jr score).

Inclusion Criteria:

• English speaking patients
• 55 years or older with Su Type II or Su Type III periprosthetic femur fractures or OTA/OA 33C or 338/3 native knee distal femur fracturing requiring surgical intervention and are medically fit to undergo surgical intervention

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with an active total knee prosthetic infection
• Patients unable to undergo surgical intervention
• Patient with an open fracture
• Non-English-speaking patients
• Oncologic/pathologic fracture
• Poly-trauma patient (or other associated major orthopaedic injuries)