This study is designed to examine if immediate weight bearing on a distal femur fracture fixed with a primary locking plate, either a distal condylar locking plate or a LISS (less invasive stabilization system), is safe and promotes more rapid fracture healing than partial weight bearing, which is standard of care.
This study is designed to examine if immediate weight bearing on a distal femur fracture fixed with a primary locking plate, either a distal condylar locking plate or a LISS (less invasive stabilization system), is safe and promotes more rapid fracture healing than partial weight bearing, which is standard of care. Historically and currently patients are kept partial weight bearing after fixation of these fractures for 6-12 weeks until callous formation is observed on radiographs. The hypothesis is that participants allowed to bear weight immediately will heal at least as quickly as those who have weight bearing status protected with the added benefits from early mobilization. Fracture healing will be monitored closely by follow up appointments and complications will be documented.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
53
full weight bearing after fixation of a distal femur fracture
West Virginia University
Morgantown, West Virginia, United States
Time to Distal Femur Fracture Healing by Radiographic Evidence
Radiographs were analyzed postoperatively to determine bridging of 3 or 4 cortices per standard of care during follow-up office visits.
Time frame: up to 12 weeks
Time to Ambulation
Investigators measure time to ambulation
Time frame: up to 24 weeks
Time of Participation in Physical Therapy
Investigators measure the length of time of physical therapy participation
Time frame: up to 1 year
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