Comparison of outcomes and analysis of risk factors for non-union in locked plating of closed periprosthetic and non-periprosthetic distal femoral fractures in a retrospective cohort study

Distal femur periprosthetic fractures have become a more common complication in association with increased rates of knee arthroplasty in an aging population [1]. The incidence of periprosthetic fracture is reported as 0.3–2.5% [2]. The rate of total knee arthroplasty in Australia as recorded on a national registry has increased 139.8% since 2003 [3]. The majority of these fractures are treated operatively, with locked plating a commonly used modality [4]. Other treatment options include retrograde intramedullary nailing and distal femoral arthroplasty as a primary treatment. There is no clear consensus on the optimal surgical intervention [5].

The aims of surgical treatment are to achieve stable anatomical reduction allowing for analgesia, ease of care, and early mobilization [6, 7]. These fractures have been shown to have problematic healing, with reported non-union rates of 6–25% [8, 9]. Other known problems associated with these fractures include decreased mobility and loss of independence in more than 50% of patients, a 3–37% risk of post-operative complication, and an up to 25% rate of 1-year mortality [10‐13].

In most instances, periprosthetic fractures are treated similarly to their non-periprosthetic counterparts, where this fracture is common in the elderly osteoporotic population. To date, there has been little in the way of direct comparison of outcomes of both groups [14].

The hospital for this study, located in an area with a large retired population, has treated a large number of these fractures. The primary aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of surgical treatment, specifically locked plating, of periprosthetic and non-periprosthetic fractures. The secondary aim was to determine predictors of non-union and union in both groups.

It was hypothesized that overall outcomes in locked plating of periprosthetic fractures would be worse than their non-periprosthetic counterparts. Based on 2017 Australian registry data recording an average age at primary knee arthroplasty of 68.7 years and 92.7% of patients classified as American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score 2 or 3 [3], it was hypothesized that patients with periprosthetic fractures may represent an older and more frail population than a non-periprosthetic fracture population. The overall value of this study will add to existing knowledge about this fracture and help aide surgeons in determining a common approach to both fracture groups.

Local health district ethics approval was attained for the purpose of performing a retrospective cohort analysis of patients with distal femoral fractures treated in a single hospital from 2011 to 2018. A search was performed through the hospital medical records department using diagnosis-related group (DRG) codes for distal femoral and related fractures [15].

A flowchart of patients identified as eligible for the study can be found in Fig. 1. All patients aged 16 and above with either extra or intra-articular distal femoral fractures around either a prosthetic or non-prosthetic knee treated with locked plating only were included. Open fractures, pediatric fracture patterns, partial articular fractures (including Hoffa fractures, isolated condyle fractures, and intracondylar splits), fractures around a unicompartmental knee replacement, and fractures in non-ambulant patients were excluded. Patients who were treated non-operatively or with another modality (including retrograde intramedullary nail and distal femoral replacement) were also excluded.

All patients received anteroposterior (AP) and lateral x-rays at presentation to the emergency department and at follow-up. Computed tomography scans were obtained in the majority of patients to aid pre-operative planning. All fractures were sustained following low-energy falls. Fractures were classified according to the Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen/Orthopedic Trauma Association (AO/OTA) system for distal femur fractures [16]. Fracture comminution was defined as the presence of at least one separate metaphyseal or diaphyseal cortical bone fracture fragment (AO/OTA classification 33A2 or 3 and 33C2 or 3).

Surgery was performed either by consultant surgeons or trainees under consultant supervision. All patients received locking plate fixation using the stainless steel condylar locking compression plate (LCP) 4.5/5.0 (DePuy Synthes, Oberdorf, Switzerland). Surgery performed with exposure of the fracture was recorded as ‘open’ and surgery using a minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) technique was recorded as ‘submuscular’ [17]. Plate length and working length in plate holes was recorded. Working length was defined as the distance in plate holes between the proximal and distal most screws on each side of the fracture. All patients received routine pre- and postoperative antibiotics and anticoagulation and were made non-weightbearing for a minimum of 6 weeks postoperatively.

Follow up took place at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months. Union was defined as the presence of a minimum of three out of four bridging cortices on AP and lateral x-rays at 6 month follow up [18]. Patients who missed their 6-month follow up yet went on to unite had ‘time to union’ recorded at the time of their last follow up. X-rays failing to meet the minimum requirement of bridging cortices at 6 months were recorded as non-unions. These patients had extended follow up with further x-rays confirming the presence of non-union.

Complications recorded included hardware failure, wound or periprosthetic infection, peri-implant fracture, symptomatic hardware prominence, and the incidence of deep vein thrombosis in the post-operative period. Post-operative function was determined based on mobility and dependence status at last follow up or most recent hospital visit. Decreased function was recorded if the patient had become dependent on a walking aid or if they could no longer live independently (including placement in an aged care facility). Mortality was recorded through the scrutinization of patient records on an electronic record system.

Descriptive statistics recorded included means and standard deviations for continuous variables and counts (percentages) for categorical variables. Statistical analysis of outcomes between groups was performed using Pearson Chi-square tests comparing the incidence of non-union, post-operative functionality, incidence of complications, progression to revision surgery, and mortality. A survival analysis using competing risk modeling was applied to the comparative analysis of time to union. An analysis of risk factors for non-union and factors positively associated with union was performed using a Firth stepwise logistic regression model with an inclusion threshold of 0.2. The assumption of proportional hazards and appropriate model specified were assessed using the Hosmer-Lemeshow test and the Pregibon link test respectively. All tests were two-sided and had a 0.05 level of significance. Statistical analysis was performed using STATA Version 15 software (StataCorp LLC, College Station, Texas United States of America).

To date, this study is the largest direct comparison of the outcomes of surgical treatment of distal femoral periprosthetic and non-periprosthetic fractures. No significant differences were found in outcomes between groups. Only one other paper was found directly comparing the outcomes of locked plating in these two groups (Song 2013 [14]). Despite reporting overall better union rates, outcomes between groups were also similar.

Distal femoral fractures are a challenging group of injuries for the orthopedic surgeon to treat [19]. This study has reflected what is already known in the literature regarding high rates of non-union, decreased post-operative functioning, and increased mortality. In particular, an overall non-union rate in both groups of 17.8% was comparable to reported rates in previous studies.

It could not be shown that the outcomes in the periprosthetic group would be worse than the non-periprosthetic group. Despite a 10-year age difference between groups, an almost equal number of patients in each group (accounting for 51.1% of patients in total) were considered frail through a surrogate measure of pre-morbid dependence on walking aids or living in an aged care facility. This reflects the incidence of distal femoral fractures as part of a spectrum of fragility fractures. As part of this spectrum, many similarities can be drawn between distal femoral and proximal femoral or hip fractures. Unlike hip fractures however, there is no widely accepted treatment algorithm or standard of care [20]. With increasing rates of arthroplasty especially in younger patients, periprosthetic fractures can be expected to rise in incidence [21]. Based on equal outcomes reported between groups in this study, a common approach to both periprosthetic and non-periprosthetic fractures should be utilized in future treatment algorithms. A notable exception to this is in the choice of fixation with a retrograde intramedullary nail, where a closed box design in prosthetic knees may preclude use of such a device [22].

In the secondary analysis of risk factors for non-union, comminution was identified as a strong predictor of non-union. A systematic review of distal femoral non-unions showed metaphyseal comminution to be the most commonly associated fracture pattern [23]. The corollary to this observation—that simple fracture patterns are significantly more likely to progress to union, was also observed in the study. A positive association with union from use of a MIPO technique was demonstrated. This supports the theoretical benefit of submuscular plate insertion in preserving fracture site biology and therefore promoting better bone healing [24]. This relationship has been observed in a number of studies [25‐27].

A positive trend toward union was observed in association with use of longer plates. This trend was not observed in conjunction with longer plate working lengths, where union rates are predicted to be improved as a result of reduced fixation rigidity, allowing for fracture site micromotion [28]. It is generally recommended that three to four holes should be left empty at the site of the fracture [29]. Although the average plate working length in both groups in this study was 4.4 holes, a positive relationship with union from this was not found. This is in keeping with a number of studies showing no or minimal correlation between longer working length and union [25, 30, 31]. Some studies have shown better healing with titanium versus stainless plates, proposed to be associated with reduced material stiffness [32, 33]. This relationship was not examined in this study as stainless steel plates were exclusively used.

Locked plating as applied to distal femoral fractures is still an evolving technique [34]. The benefit of locking plate technology in creating a fixed angle construct is attractive, especially as applied to elderly osteoporotic fracture patterns. In practice, plates are often applied without direct bony contact, in principle an ‘internal’ external fixator’ [35]. This is often a necessity in periprosthetic fractures where the position of the femoral component may preclude optimal plate positioning. Although a number of studies have shown difficulties in achieving optimal plate fit in locking plate designs, there is as yet no clinical evidence to show any downside to this [7, 36]. As demonstrated in this study however, without bony union, locking plates still have a tendency to fail. There appears to be a beneficial effect on union from use of a submuscular technique, and use of this technique should be encouraged whenever possible, especially in simple fracture patterns. Achieving anatomical reduction in highly comminuted fractures may not always be achievable with lateral locking plates applied with a strictly MIPO technique. In particular, there exists concern for fixation failure and varus collapse in patients with medial comminution [37]. A case example in Fig. 2 is illustrative. In this setting, there may be a role for intramedullary fibular strut allograft use and or addition of a medial plate [38, 39]. Various aids to reduction in using MIPO technique, such as joystick pins, percutaneous clamps, and maximizing use of the plate as a reduction tool, have been described [19]. Further work is needed to determine an acceptable degree of reduction in application of MIPO technique, and whether the benefits of achieving anatomical reduction outweigh the invasiveness of the approach.

An alternative to fixation is arthroplasty. The results in this study lend support to the rationale to perform distal femoral replacement for elderly patients with highly comminuted distal femoral fractures. The greatest benefit here is the ability to allow the patient to commence full weightbearing postoperatively. Furthermore, by virtue of the treatment, the problem of non-union is eliminated. Significant concerns for regular adoption of this practice include the safety of performing complex surgery on frail patients, an increased risk of associated complications most especially infection and costs involved [40‐42]. Recent studies reporting on the viability of distal femoral replacement as an option are promising [43‐45], and future research efforts are required to better prove the safety and efficacy of this practice.

The influence of post-operative weightbearing instructions on patient outcomes and union rates merits consideration. As the practice of the study location was to make all patients non-weightbearing for a minimum of 6 weeks, analysis was not possible in this regard. Although non-weightbearing is commonly the practice followed in many centres, recent studies [7, 46] have shown successful outcomes including high union rates in patients allowed full weightbearing after locked plating of distal femoral fractures. Although no biomechanical proof currently exists, there may be a beneficial effect on fracture site biology from weightbearing. There may be reluctance from surgeons to follow this practice, especially as locking plates are by definition load-bearing and not load-sharing devices and thus there may be concerns for early plate failure. However, there is much to commend the practice of allowing full weight-bearing after treatment of distal femoral fractures, especially in elderly patients where avoidance of prolonged bed rest and its associated complications is desirable. This should be a standard of care in management of the elderly and future research efforts are needed to increase the clinical weight of evidence for this practice.

This study was limited by its retrospective design. Although locked plating was the predominant mode of fixation in the cohort of identified patients, exclusion of patients who were treated with different modalities may have created a selection bias. This study excluded patients with higher energy or open injuries representing the mostly younger end of the bimodal age distribution of distal femoral fractures. It was the intention of the study to focus on an elderly cohort with low energy closed injuries, and the results of this study should be applied specifically to this cohort. Despite overall consistency in locked plating operative technique at the study location, variations in technique between surgeons introduced heterogeneity to the reported results. Patient-reported outcomes were not performed, and ideally these should have been performed to determine the clinical significance of the results.

In conclusion, no differences were found in outcomes of locked plating of periprosthetic and non-periprosthetic distal femoral fractures. Therefore, a common approach to both fractures is advocated. This will aid future research efforts in determining an acceptable algorithm for treatment of this fracture. Non-union remains the greatest challenge facing surgeons in management of distal femoral fractures. A significantly increased risk of non-union exists in patients with comminuted fractures. Surgeons should be aware of the potential for non-union in managing such patients. Future studies are needed to investigate efforts to improve union rates in locking plate fixation of highly comminuted fractures.