FUNCTIONAL OUTCOME IN PATIENTS WITH DISTAL FEMUR FRACTURE TREATED WITH LOCKING COMPRESSION PLATE

Background: Distal femur fractures pose significant treatment challenges due to their anatomical complexity and varied injury mechanisms. Locking compression plates (LCPs) have emerged as a favorable fixation method, particularly for complex and osteoporotic fractures. Despite global advancements, limited local data exist on the functional outcomes following LCP fixation in the regional population. Objective: To determine the functional outcome in patients with distal femur fractures treated with locking compression plates using Neer’s scoring system. Methods: This descriptive study was conducted over six months at the Department of Orthopedics, Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar. A total of 152 patients aged 18–60 years with AO type A or C distal femur fractures were included. Exclusion criteria were open wounds, pathological fractures, peri-prosthetic fractures, delayed presentations, and significant comorbidities. Surgical fixation was performed using the Swashbuckler approach, followed by individualized rehabilitation protocols. Functional outcomes were assessed four weeks postoperatively using Neer’s criteria. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25. Results: Among 152 patients, the mean age was 38.6 ± 11.5 years; 63.8% were male. Right-sided fractures were more common (56.6%). Type A fractures slightly outnumbered type C (50.7% vs. 49.3%). Neer’s score showed excellent outcomes in 55.9% of cases, good in 29.6%, fair in 13.2%, and poor in 1.3%. Type A fractures showed superior results compared to type C. No major intraoperative complications were reported. Conclusion: LCP fixation for distal femur fractures yields promising early functional outcomes, particularly in type A fractures. It supports early mobilization, anatomical alignment, and satisfactory recovery, reinforcing its role as a preferred surgical modality in such injuries.