Minimally invasive percutaneous plating of distal femoral fractures using the dynamic condylar screw.

Background: In distal femoral fractures, conventional open reduction and internal fixation causes complications because of excessive soft-tissue stripping. To prevent this, minimally invasive percutaneous plating was performed in distal femoral fractures. Methods: sixteen supracondylar or intercondylar femoral fractures were treated by minimally invasive percutaneous plating with the dynamic condylar screw without bone graft. Five (31%) were open fractures. Results: All fractures healed except one. The average time for fracture healing was 17 weeks (range, 14-22 weeks). Complications included one nonunion related to early full weight bearing. No patient showed malunion or deep infection. Results were evaluated by modified Neer rating, and all patients had excellent or good results. Intra-articular fractures showed less favorable range of motion and clinical scores than extra-articular fractures. Conclusion: Minimally invasive percutaneous plating with the dynamic condylar screw can provide favorable results in the treatment of distal femoral fractures.