Supracondylar femoral fracture following total knee arthroplasty.

Twenty-nine supracondylar femoral fractures above total knee arthroplasty were studied retrospectively. Group 1 consisted of 5 nondisplaced fractures managed with closed treatment, yielding 5 satisfactory results. Group 2 consisted of 9 displaced fractures managed with closed treatment. There were no satisfactory results in Group 2; there were 8 malunions and 2 knees requiring revision. Group 3 consisted of 15 displaced fractures managed with open reduction and internal fixation. There were 10 satisfactory results in Group 3; there were 2 malunions and 3 knees requiring revision or repeat fixation. On the basis of these results, closed treatment for nondisplaced fractures is recommended. If displacement exists, early open reduction and internal fixation yields the greatest chance for a satisfactory result, though it has a significant complication rate.