[Extension osteotomy of the lateral distal femur using the contralateral TomoFix® plate].

OBJECTIVE

Supracondylar distal femoral osteotomy. Fixation with the contralateral TomoFix® (Fa. DePuy Synthes, Oberdorf, Switzerland) lateral distal femur plate. Use of the laterally reversed plate to improve the reconstruction of the sagittal anatomical axis of the leg.

INDICATIONS: To correct knee flexion contractures with a deficiency of extension >20° at the age of 10 years.

CONTRAINDICATIONS: Surgical site infections or tumors.

SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: Ventral closed wedge osteotomy of the distal femur. Implantation of the locking compression TomoFix® lateral distal femur plate.

POSTOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT: Full weight bearing.

RESULTS

In all, 16 distal femoral osteotomies were performed in 9 patients. All patients had knee flexion contraction due to neurological disease. Patients with cerebral palsy showed a better GMFCS (gross motor function classification scale) level after surgery. Hardware was removed after 11.5 months (range: 9-18 months).