Ac. Mclaren et al., OPEN REDUCTION INTERNAL-FIXATION OF SUPRACONDYLAR FRACTURES ABOVE TOTAL KNEE ARTHROPLASTIES USING THE INTRAMEDULLARY SUPRACONDYLAR ROD, Clinical orthopaedics and related research, (302), 1994, pp. 194-198
Seven patients who had low supracondylar fractures above total knee ar
throplasties were treated using the intramedullary supracondylar rod.
Six of the seven patients were steroid-dependent, long-standing severe
polyarticular rheumatoid arthritics with marked osteopenia. The intra
medullary supracondylar rod provided stable fixation that allowed earl
y range of motion of the knee. Union occurred in good position in all
patients; return to prefracture function was achieved in three months.
The surgical procedure was reliable and was associated with minimal m
orbidity.