Surgical treatment of comminuted intraarticular distal femur fracture in patient with osteogenesis imperfecta type I

Aim. Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is characterized by bone fragility and long bones deformities. Most studies are dedicated to surgical treatment of diaphyseal fractures. To our knowledge, there are no reports giving recommendations about surgical treatment of distal femur intraarticular fractures. Clinical case. We describe the surgical treatment of a 14-year-old girl with OI who had intraarticular fracture of the left distal femur and fracture of a right femur diaphysis. Surgical treatment was complicated by migration of a titanium elastic nail and impaired consolidation, which had to be fixed with a plate and led to peri-implant fracture. Results were assessed before trauma and at 1 and 2 years after trauma with Gillette Functional Assessment Questionnaire (GFAQ) and Bleck score. Discussion. During surgical treatment of comminuted intraarticular distal femur fractures in patients with OI, we had to use big cancellous screw that made implantation in an intramedullary fixator more difficult. Internal fixation with a plate in patients with OI is associated with high risks of peri-implant fracture. Conclusion. For treatment of comminuted intraarticular fracture of the distal femur, it is necessary to have large variety of internal fixators, follow the principles of absolute and relative stability, and be familiar with minimally-invasive techniques.