Failure of less invasive stabilization system plates in the distal femur: a report of four cases.

Four cases of failure of distal femoral Less Invasive Stabilization System plates are reported. Two modes of failure were observed: in 2 cases, the Less Invasive Stabilization System plates broke, and in 2 cases, the plates gradually displaced from the femur as the shaft screws lost purchase in the diaphyseal femoral cortex. Delayed union/nonunion, early weight bearing, and improper plate placement were identified as the etiologies for plate failure.