Locking plates for distal femur fractures does an increased working length improve healing?

Koller, Ian M

Locking plates for distal femur fractures does an increased working length improve healing?

Master Thesis

2013

Publisher

University of Cape Town

Department

Division of Orthopaedic Surgery

Faculty

Faculty of Health Sciences

Abstract

Distal femur locking plates have become a very popular means of internal fixation because of their ability to provide stable distal periarticular fixation. In spite of this enthusiasm however several studies have reported significant problems with healing. In the distal femur it is recognized that locking plate fixation may be too rigid if used in certain configurations that limit the essential micro movement required for biological healing. Implant failure may arise from rigid configurations that cause excessive hardware stress concentrations. In an attempt to address these problems longer plates and an increased working length have been proposed to reduce construct rigidity. The purpose of our study is to investigate whether an increased working length translates into improved healing.

Description

Includes abstract.

Includes bibliographical references.

Keywords

Orthopaedic Surgery

Reference:

Collections

Masters

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