The use of bone cement as an adjunct to internal fixation of supracondylar fractures of osteoporotic femurs

Abstract

Bone cement was used as an adjunct to internal fixation of 14 supracondylar femoral fractures. The fractures were stabilized with ASIF plates. In all these fractures severe osteoporosis made a stable fixation impossible without the use of bone cement. The average age of the patients was 75 years. Eight of the patients had previously been operated on because of fractures of the same extremity and three suffered from disabling diseases. Twelve fractures healed without complications, despite early mobilization. One fracture needed additional external fixation before it healed and one lead to non-union. No infections were seen. It is concluded that use of bone cement as an adjunct to the internal fixation of supracondylar fractures secures a stable fixation of even the most severe osteoporotic femora, and this aids healing in most cases of such fractures. The method is recommended in selected cases of elderly patients.