Functional and radiological outcome of distal femur fracture with intra-articular extension fixed with variable angle-locking compression plate: a prospective study

Background: Distal femur fractures, often resulting from high-velocity injuries, pose significant challenges due to their complexity. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of variable angle-locking compression plate (VA-LCP) in treating these fractures, focusing on both functional and radiological outcomes. Methods: This prospective observational study included 40 patients aged 20-70 years with distal femur fractures treated at R. L. Jalappa Hospital and Research Centre. Data on demographics, comorbidities, fracture type and outcomes were collected. Patients underwent open reduction and internal fixation with VA-LCP and were followed up at 1 month, 3 months and 6 months postoperatively. Results: The study revealed significant improvements in functional outcomes as measured by NEER's score, with most patients showing substantial increases by 6 months post-op. The majority of fractures were successfully united within an average of 20 weeks. Complications were minimal and included superficial infections and knee stiffness in a few cases. Conclusions: VA-LCP provides effective stabilization for distal femur fractures, enabling early mobilization and resulting in positive functional and radiological outcomes. This technique is particularly beneficial for complex intra-articular fractures.