2010 mid-America Orthopaedic Association Physician in Training Award: healing complications are common after locked plating for distal femur fractures.

Background: Several mechanical studies suggest locking plate constructs may inhibit callus necessary for healing of distal femur fractures. However, the rate of nonunion and factors associated with nonunion are not well established.

Questions/purposes: We (1) determined the healing rate of distal femur fractures treated with locking plates, (2) assessed the effect of patient injury and treatment variables on fracture healing, and (3) compared callus formation in fractures that healed with those that did not heal.

Locking plates for distal femur fractures: is there a problem with fracture healing?

Objectives: Fractures of the distal femur are severe injuries that present many clinical challenges. Nonunion, delayed union, implant failure, and the need for secondary procedures can reflect complications of healing. This article reviews the literature on distal femur fractures treated with locking plates to determine the reported rate of healing difficulties.