The fractures of the supracondylar and intercondylar region of the femur are difficult to manage because of the wide range of potential complications. Most studied over the past twenty years have attempted to compare the results of nonsurgical with those of surgical methods.
The new fixation divices and techniques were developed. The accurate anatomical reduction, rigid internal fixation, and early motion of joint have more improved results of the treatments than past.
The following clinical results were shown by analsis of 18 cases of supracondylar and intercondylar fractures of the femur treated in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Yonsei University, College of Medicine during the past 6 years from Jan. 1983 to Dec. 1988.
1. The prevalent age distribution was between 41 and 50 years of age(33.3%) and the ratio between male and female was 1.3:1. The most common cause of injury was traffic accidents(66.7%).
2. A classification of supracondylar and intercondylar fractures was divided according to ASIF classification, and the most common type was C2(55.5%).
3. Thirteen patients(72.2%) were associated with injuries of other parts and the most frequent associated fracture was tibial fracture and the most common associated other injury was cerbral consussion or contusion.
4. The satisfactory(excellent or goo) result of surgical treatment(14 cases) and conservative treatment(4 cases) was equal(50.0%). But severity of injury of conservative treatment group was milder than surgical treatment group.
5. Complications were deep infection of 2 cases(11%), delayed and nonunion of 4 cases (22%), Knee joint siffness below 90 rnage of motion of 8 cses(44.4%).
6. Finally, good results of treatment depend largely on early accurate anatomical reduction, rigid internal fixation, early joint motion.