Compound Osteosynthesis for Osteolyses and Pathological Fractures of the Proximal Femur

Description: Due to improved oncological therapeutic procedures with longer survival times, the stabilization of osteolyses and pathological fractures is gaining importance. The proximal femur is often affected by metastases. As femoral stability can be compromised by such bone lesions, stabilization as a palliative measure is indicated to restore function and relieve pain. Besides intramedullary osteosynthesis and endoprosthetic reconstruction, compound osteosynthesis is an alternative method for stabilization of the proximal femur.
A technically demanding alternative method for the treatment of large osteolytic lesions of the proximal femur is plate compound osteosynthesis. With this technique, stabilization is achieved by implanting a condylar plate after removal of tumor tissue through a cortical window and filling the defect with bone cement (single-plate compound osteosyntheses). In addition, an intramedullary plate can be introduced that provides a medial load transfer and supports the condylar plate blade (double-plate compound osteosyntheses)
Stefan Kinkel, MD; Jens Stecher, MD; Tobias Gotterbarm, MD; Thomas Bruckner, PhD; Ulrich Holz, MD, PhD ORTHOPEDICS 2009; 32:403