Salvage of a 5-Year Neglected Distal Femur Nonunion in a Refugee: A Case Report.

CASE: A 38-year-old woman was found to have a closed, chronically displaced left distal femur fracture sustained 5 years prior while living in South America. Prompt surgical intervention in her home country was inaccessible, leading to non-union, functional impairment, leg shortening, and soft tissue contractures. Dual-plate fixation, bone grafting, and quadricepsplasty were performed and the patient's function and mobility were restored to a degree commensurate with daily requirements.

CONCLUSION

Chronically displaced distal femur fractures with nonunion, shortening, and soft tissue contractures can be safely and effectively managed with dual-plating, bone grafting, and quadricepsplasty.