Epidemiological Profile of Floating-Knees at the Renaissance University Hospital-Center in Ndjamena Survey Carried Out on About 29 Cases

Floating knee is a clinical entity characterized by the simultaneous existence of fractures of the femur and tibia on the same side. The aim of our study was to describe the epidemiological and clinical aspects and evaluate the functional results of patients treated for floating knee in our department at the CHUR. Material and methods: This was a prospective and descriptive study from January 2017 to December 2022, including all patients treated and followed up for floating knee in the Orthopedic and trauma-surgery at the Department of the CHUR. The fractures were classified according to the Fraser classification. The functional and anatomical results were evaluated according to the Karlstrom and Olerud criteria. Results: There were 29 cases of floating knee out of 1427 cases of pelvic fractures (2.03%), with 27 cases in men (93.1%) and a sex ratio of 13.5:1. The mean age was 33.3 ± 15.7 years (range: 9-70 years). The etiology was dominated by road accidents (93%), involving motorcycles and cars (55.6%). The right pelvic limb was most often affected (55.2%). There were 75.9% open fractures, mostly at the leg (68.2%). The type I fracture according to the Gustilo-Anderson classification was most common at the femur and tibia. The type I fracture according to the Fraser classification was most represented (72.4%), followed by type IIc (13.8%). Surgical treatment (93.1%) was performed using plate fixation at the femur (62.1%) and tibia (48.3%). Complications were dominated by stiffness (60%). With a mean follow-up of 32 months, the anatomical and functional results were satisfactory (excellent: 31% and good: 44.8%). Conclusion: Floating knee is a rare and serious clinical entity. Treatment should be surgical and early.