Characteristics of medial condyle sagittal fracture of distal femur involving intercondylar notch in geriatric patients.

INTRODUCTION: Unicondylar femoral fractures are uncommon injuries, known to occur primarily in young people, with high energy trauma. However, according to our experiences, unicondylar femoral fractures in geriatric patients generally involved the medial femoral condyle, unlike previously reported. In addition, the fractures of medial femoral condyle (FMFC) showed a characteristic fracture pattern. To date, there has been no published article focusing on the FMFC in geriatric patients. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine the characteristics of FMFC in geriatric patients and to present their outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 13 patients over age of 65 who underwent surgery for FMFC (AO-OTA 33B2). Of the 13, 10 patients were treated with Tomofix medial distal femoral plate (MDF) (Synthes GmbH, Switzerland) and additional screws fixation; the other three were treated with screw fixation and cast application. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 76.8 years, and 10 patients were females. The fracture was due to low-energy trauma in all of the cases. Eight patients had medial knee osteoarthritis, and 2 patients were on osteoporosis treatment. A characteristic fracture pattern was observed. The fracture line extended from the lateral aspect of the intercondylar notch to the posteromedial column of the distal femur, with a characteristic medial beak. All fractures belonged to AO classification 33B2.1; there were no cases of AO classification 33B2.2 or 33B2.3. The postoperative joint function was graded according to the Kolmert functional criteria: ten cases were excellent, one case was good, one case was fair, and one case was poor. CONCLUSION: FMFC caused by low-energy trauma in geriatric patients tend to have a characteristic pattern. We believe that anatomic reduction and firm fixation with Tomofix MDF plate and cannulated screw for low-energy trauma FMFC in geriatric patients would yield good outcomes.

Intrapelvic Migration of the Lag Screw with Wedge Wing from Dyna Locking Trochanteric Nail: A Case Report and Literature Review.

The intrapelvic migration of cervicocephalic lag screws is a rare complication after intertrochanteric fracture synthesis with an intramedullary nail. Only 15 cases of intrapelvic penetration by three different instrument systems have been described in the literature. However, to our knowledge, there is no report of intrapelvic migration of the lag screw with wedge wing designed to increase fixation power using the Dyna locking trochanteric (DLT) nail. We present a case of intrapelvic migration of the lag screw with wedge wing from DLT nail. The patient described herein underwent a two-staged operation of implant removal without intrapelvic approach followed by bipolar hemiarthroplasty. With intrapelvic migration conditions, although it is not uncommon to require an additional intrapelvic approach, this modification can lead to lethal consequences. For this reason, it is recommended to coordinate with the vascular surgery department due to the close proximity of the major vessels.