Supracondylar Nailing In Floating Knee Injuries - A Case Series and Review of Literature

Abstract

Background: Floating knee injuries are defined as ipsilateral fractures of the femur and tibia and are frequently the result of high-energy trauma. These injuries pose substantial challenges in treatment and rehabilitation due to the complexity of associated fractures and high morbidity. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of supracondylar nailing for femoral shaft fractures in floating knee injuries, focusing on operative duration, intraoperative blood loss, and the benefits of a single surgical exposure.

Methods: We reviewed three cases of floating knee injuries treated with femoral supracondylar nailing and tibial intramedullary interlocking (imil) nailing. Postoperative assessments included the knee society score (kss), knee range of motion (rom), average surgical time, mean drop in hemoglobin, and fracture union.

Results: All patients underwent surgery in a single operative session. Fracture union was achieved in each case without postoperative infection. Functional outcomes were favorable, with excellent kss scores at six-month follow-up.

Conclusion: While multiple surgical techniques exist for floating knee injuries, supracondylar nailing offers a promising approach for femoral fracture management, reducing operative time, minimizing blood loss, and facilitating early mobilization through single-incision surgery.