A case series on floating knee injuries with ipsilateral femur and tibia fracture

  • Singh V This study is performed in R D Gardi Medical College, Ujjain
  • Gupta N This study is performed in R D Gardi Medical College, Ujjain
  • Nagdev S This study is performed in R D Gardi Medical College, Ujjain
  • Dwivedi V M This study is performed in R D Gardi Medical College, Ujjain
Keywords: floating knee injuries, ipsilateral femur and tibia fracture, polytrauma

Abstract

Background: The floating injuries occur due to high velocity trauma following motor vehicle accidents. Management of such complex injuries is a challenging task even in experienced hands as there are no standard treatment guidelines. All the patient were first stabilized initially by external fixator and subsequently taken up for definitive surgery. Early fixation and aggressive mobilization ensure fracture union and leads to fewer complications.

Material and method: In this study, 10 cases of fracture ipsilateral femur and tibia were operated in R.D. Gardi Medical College, Ujjain between February 2022 to February 2024 with the sequence of early fixation by application of external fixator on the day of admission, followed by delayed definitive surgery through ORIF with plate osteosynthesis or CRIF with intermedullary nail as needed according to the fracture. This study incorporates all fractures associated with floating knee viz, fracture shaft femur, fracture distal femur (intra/extra articular), fracture proximal tibia with diaphyseal extension and fracture shaft tibia, also includes compound, comminuted fractures.

Results: With the surgical management protocol followed by us, union was achieved in all the 10 cases. Post operative infections was observed in 1 patient out of 10 and knee stiffness was noted in about 3 patients. The present study had a minimum follow up of 6 months.

Conclusion: The surgical management protocol implemented yielded outstanding functional and radiological outcomes across all cases. Patients demonstrated a remarkable ability to resume their pre-injury functional activities and achieved full weight-bearing walking without assistance within six months post-surgery.

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Published
2024-06-30
How to Cite
1.
Singh V, N G, S N, V M D. A case series on floating knee injuries with ipsilateral femur and tibia fracture. ojmpc [Internet]. 2024Jun.30 [cited 2024Nov.21];30(1):21-8. Available from: https://ojmpc.com/index.php/ojmpc/article/view/185
Issue
Vol 30 No 1 (2024): Jan-Jun
Section
Original Article
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