BACKGROUND: Sixteen patients with ununited fractures of the femur were treated by locked plate. There were 14 men and 2 women. The youngest patient was 18 years old and the oldest was 48 years (average, 32.9 years). Two fractures were infected and 14 were noninfected. METHODS: Time between injury and operation varied from 4 to 26 months (average, 8.2 months). A standard broad dynamic compression plate and AO washers and nuts were used to construct a locked plate. Follow-up ranged from 6 to 24 months. RESULTS: All fractures have healed after this operation; bone graft was not used in any of them. Time until healing ranged from 4 to 6 months (average, 4.9 months). Shortening after surgery ranged from 0 to 5 cm (average, 1.8 cm). There was no metal failure or recurrence of infection. Two patients were readmitted 1 year after operation for metal removal, knee arthrolysis, and quadricepsplasty to improve the range of motion of the knee. CONCLUSION: Locked plate fixation is rigid enough for bone healing and to allow early postoperative mobilization, with good functional outcome.
BACKGROUND: Sixteen patients with ununited fractures of the femur were treated by locked plate. There were 14 men and 2 women. The youngest patient was 18 years old and the oldest was 48 years (average, 32.9 years). Two fractures were infected and 14 were noninfected. METHODS: Time between injury and operation varied from 4 to 26 months (average, 8.2 months). A standard broad dynamic compression plate and AO washers and nuts were used to construct a locked plate. Follow-up ranged from 6 to 24 months. RESULTS: All fractures have healed after this operation; bone graft was not used in any of them. Time until healing ranged from 4 to 6 months (average, 4.9 months). Shortening after surgery ranged from 0 to 5 cm (average, 1.8 cm). There was no metal failure or recurrence of infection. Two patients were readmitted 1 year after operation for metal removal, knee arthrolysis, and quadricepsplasty to improve the range of motion of the knee. CONCLUSION: Locked plate fixation is rigid enough for bone healing and to allow early postoperative mobilization, with good functional outcome.