Acute Femoral Nailing and Ipsilateral Knee-Spanning External Fixation: Improved Early Stability for Floating Knee Injuries Involving the Tibial Plateau.

SUMMARY: Ipsilateral femoral shaft and tibial plateau fractures, termed a "floating knee," are rare and challenging injuries. There is limited literature guiding the operative technique and the outcomes associated with these injuries. The author's preferred technique is early intramedullary of the femoral shaft fracture with knee-spanning external fixation of any length unstable plateau fractures in the same operative setting. Early fixation of the femur fracture allows for improved hemodynamic and inflammatory stability. External fixation of the tibial plateau restores length and alignment and allows for soft tissue rest until definitive fixation. The purpose of this study is to describe this operative technique and determine the infection rate and complications requiring return to the operating room in patients with femoral shaft fractures and length unstable plateau fractures.