Review of patient-reported outcomes in periprosthetic distal femur fractures after total knee arthroplasty: a plate or intramedullary nail?

Abstract Purpose This study reviewed the literature regarding the patient-reported treatment outcomes of using either open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) with a plate and screw system or intramedullary nail (IMN) fixation for periprosthetic distal femur fractures around a total knee arthroplasty. Methods A total of 13 studies published in the last 20 years met the inclusion criteria. The studies included 347 patients who were allocated to ORIF ( n = 249) and IMN ( n = 98) groups according to the implants used. The primary outcome measures were the Knee Society Score or the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities osteoarthritis index. The secondary outcome measures included knee range of motion and the rates of complications, including non-union, malunion, infection, revision total knee arthroplasty, and reoperation. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. Results The mean Knee Society Scores of ORIF and IMN groups were 83 and 84, respectively; the mean postoperative range of motion of the knee were 99° and 100°, respectively ( P < 0.05); the non-union rates were 9.4 and 3.8%, respectively ( P > 0.05); the malunion rates were 1.8 and 7.5%, respectively ( P < 0.05); surgical site infection rates were 2 and 1.3%, respectively ( P > 0.05); the reoperation rates were 9.6 and 5.1%, respectively ( P > 0.05); and revision rates of total knee arthroplasty were 2 and 1%, respectively ( P > 0.05). Conclusion Based on the patient-reported outcome assessments, both ORIF with a plate and screw system and IMN fixation are well-accepted techniques for periprosthetic distal femur fractures around a TKA, and they produce similar functional outcomes.