J Knee Surg 2013; 26(S 01): S045-S049
DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1299658
Case Report
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Pediatric Distal Femur Fixation by Proximal Humeral Plate

Amr Atef Abdelgawad
1   Department of Orthopedics, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, El Paso, Texas
,
Enes M. Kanlic
1   Department of Orthopedics, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, El Paso, Texas
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

29 July 2011

05 September 2011

Publication Date:
03 May 2012 (online)

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Abstract

Distal femoral metaphyseal fractures are common injuries in children. Multiple treatment options have been described for this type of injury. For older children with distal metaphyseal fracture, there is still no optimal method of fixation. We propose that the commonly used proximal humeral plate can provide good method of fixation for this fracture in adolescents. Two children (12 and 14 years old) with distal metaphyseal femoral fracture were treated with proximal humeral plate. We describe the surgical technique and postoperative management. The two children healed with good alignment and full range of motion of the knee. No external immobilization (other than knee immobilizer for the first 2 weeks) was used. We concluded that proximal humeral plate can provide adequate fixation for teenagers with distal femoral metaphyseal fracture. It is readily available; provide multiple options for screw fixation in the distal part of the fracture and fits easily on the distal part of the femur proximal to the physis.