Nails or plates for fracture of the distal femur?: Data from the Victoria orthopaedic trauma outcomes registry

Abstract

Aims: Fractures of the distal femur are an important cause of morbidity. Their optimal management remains controversial. Contemporary implants include angular-stable anatomical locking plates and locked intramedullary nails (IMNs). We compared the longterm patient-reported functional outcome of fixation of fractures of the distal femur using these two methods of treatment. Patients and Methods: A total of 297 patients were retrospectively identified from a State-wide trauma registry in Australia: 195 had been treated with a locking plate and 102 with an IMN. Baseline characteristics of the patients and their fractures were recorded. Health-related quality-oflife, functional and radiographic ..