BACKGROUND: Complex AO type C3 @entity174 of the distal femur are challenging injuries, fraught with complications such as malunion and stiffness. We prospectively evaluated a consecutive series of @entity1 with @entity174 to determine the clinicoradiological outcome after fixation with a single locked plate using modified swashbuckler approach. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 12 @entity1 with @entity174 treated with a lateral locked plate, using a modified swashbuckler approach, were included in the study. The extraarticular component was managed either by compression plating or bridge plating (transarticular approach and retrograde plate osteosynthesis) depending on the @entity174 pattern. Primary bone grafting was not done in any case. The clinical outcome at 1 year was determined using the Knee Society Score (KSS). The presence of any secondary @entity571 in the knee joint was noted at final followup. RESULTS: All @entity174 united at a mean of 14.3    4.7 weeks (range 6-26 weeks). There were no significant complications such as nonunion, @entity281 , and implant failure. One of the @entity1 underwent secondary bone grafting at 3 months. The mean range of motion of the knee was 120      14.8   (range 105  -150  ). Seven @entity1 had excellent, three @entity1 had good and two @entity1 had a fair outcome according to the KSS at 1 year. At a mean followup of 17.6 months, three @entity1 showed radiological evidence of secondary @entity626 . However, only one of these @entity1 was symptomatic. CONCLUSION: The results of complex @entity174 , fixed with a single lateral locked plate using a modified swashbuckler approach, are encouraging, with a majority of @entity1 achieving good to excellent outcome at 1 year.

XXXX : Results after fixation with a lateral locked plate using modified swashbuckler approach.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['patients'] @entity626 :: ('MESH:D020370', 'Disease') :: ['osteoarthritis of the knee joint'] @entity571 :: ('MESH:D010003', 'Disease') :: ['osteoarthritis'] @entity174 :: ('MESH:D050723', 'Disease') :: ['fractures', 'complex AO type C3 distal femur fractures', 'C3 type distal femur fractures', 'fracture'] @entity281 :: ('MESH:D007239', 'Disease') :: ['deep infection']
@entity174 :: (MESH:D050723,Disease) :: ['Complex AO type C3 distal femur fractures']
