My Orthopedic Surgery > OCOSH Classification > Trauma > Fractures > Femur Fractures > Supracondylar Fractures
Supracondylar Fractures (Subscribe)
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- Distal Femoral Epiphyseal Fractures (1)
- Distal Femoral Epiphyseal Fractures
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Supracondylar Femoral Fractures Wheeless
Mechanism: axial load to a flexed knee;
- Bimodal distribution:
- low energy fractures involving older females (often these patients have severe osteoporosis);
- high energy fractures involving younger males;
- associated injuries:
- vascular Injury: 2-3% (similar to vessel injury in knee dislocations)
- knee ligament injuries: 20% (most commonly the ACL)
- tibial plateau fractures are also common;
Wheeless' Textbook of Orthopaedics
- Bimodal distribution:
- low energy fractures involving older females (often these patients have severe osteoporosis);
- high energy fractures involving younger males;
- associated injuries:
- vascular Injury: 2-3% (similar to vessel injury in knee dislocations)
- knee ligament injuries: 20% (most commonly the ACL)
- tibial plateau fractures are also common;
Wheeless' Textbook of Orthopaedics
Supracondylar Femur Fracture Dynamic Condylar Buttress Plate
The decision is between a condylar buttress plate versus a 95 degree fixed angle device such as a blade plate or a DCS condylar screw. Biomechanically, the results are better with a fixed angle device.
OTA Basic Fracture Course
OTA Basic Fracture Course
Supracondylar Femur Fractures Classification
OTA Basic Fracture Course
The incidence of supracondylar fractures is 4 to 7% of all femur fractures. There is a somewhat bimodal distribution of these injuries.
Supracondylar Femur Fractures eMedicine Orthopedics
Author: Steven I Rabin, MD 2004
Supracondylar femur fractures require anatomically stable internal fixation for best results, which usually necessitates surgical treatment. These fractures usually occur in elderly patients with multiple comorbidities and osteoporotic bone; thus, a high rate of complications exists. Severely comminuted distal femur fractures are especially difficult fractures to treat properly (Johnson, 1988; Moore, 1987; Olerud, 1972; Pritchett, 1984; Rabin, 1995; Schatzker, 1979; Shahcheraghi, 1993; Wu, 1992; Zehntner, 1992). Obtaining adequate fixation may be technically challenging, especially when multiple fragments are present. Each device has limitations. Stable fixation depends on the exact placement of the hardware. If comminution and the fracture pattern compromise the use of an implant, the surgeon should be flexible and choose the device that fits best.
Supracondylar femur fractures require anatomically stable internal fixation for best results, which usually necessitates surgical treatment. These fractures usually occur in elderly patients with multiple comorbidities and osteoporotic bone; thus, a high rate of complications exists. Severely comminuted distal femur fractures are especially difficult fractures to treat properly (Johnson, 1988; Moore, 1987; Olerud, 1972; Pritchett, 1984; Rabin, 1995; Schatzker, 1979; Shahcheraghi, 1993; Wu, 1992; Zehntner, 1992). Obtaining adequate fixation may be technically challenging, especially when multiple fragments are present. Each device has limitations. Stable fixation depends on the exact placement of the hardware. If comminution and the fracture pattern compromise the use of an implant, the surgeon should be flexible and choose the device that fits best.
