Internal fixation of femoral supracondylar fractures is sometimes difficult, especially when it is performed in elderly patients with osteoporosis. In those cases it is often difficult to begin ROM exercise and weight-bearing immediately after surgery.
Ten cases of supracondylar fracture of the femur which were operated on at our hospital during 1991-1995 were reviewed. Nine patients were female, one was male with an average age of 78.5 years. The mean follow-up period was 22.8 months. Clinical results were evaluated using Neer's criteria: Excellent=4; Satisfactory=3; Failure=3.
Factors which were associated with unsatisfactory results were severe osteoporotic conditions, general complications and osteoarthritis of the knee joint. It is necessary to establish a safer material and method to begin ROM exercise and weight-bearing in the early post-operative period.
