Functional and Radiological Outcomes of Retrograde Nailing in Distal Femur Fractures: A Retrospective Study

BACKGROUND: Distal femur fractures are relatively rare and complex injuries that require effective treatment. Retrograde intramedullary nailing (RIMN) has emerged as a viable alternative fixation method. OBJECTIVES: To assess the functional and radiological outcomes of distal femur fractures treated with RIMN. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on 40 patients who underwent RIMN for distal femur fractures in the Department of Orthopedics, RL Jalappa Hospital, Kolar, India, during the study period after retrieving data from the medical records of patients with a minimum six-month follow-up. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics software version 22 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY). The results obtained were presented in the form of a frequency table, and continuous data were expressed as mean and standard deviation or median. RESULTS: The majority of participants (40%) were in the 30-40 years age group, with a mean age of 41.6 years. Males accounted for 80% of the study population. The most common fracture type was A2 (30%). Road traffic accidents (RTAs) were the leading cause of fractures (80%). The mean time for fracture union was 15.75 weeks, and the mean follow-up period was 17.65 months. Complications included nail breakage (5%), anterior knee pain (20%), and shortening of the affected limb by 1.5 cm (15%). The majority of patients (57.5%) achieved an "Excellent" outcome according to the Neer score. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that RIMN is a highly effective treatment option for distal femur fractures. The results show a high union rate, and functional outcomes were satisfactory and good among the majority of patients according to the Neer score. The complication rate was relatively low, with nail breakage, anterior knee pain, and limb shortening being the most common issues encountered. Overall, these findings suggest that RIMN offers favorable outcomes and minimal complications, making it a reliable treatment option for distal femur fractures.