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An unusual combination of floating knee and trifocal articular tibial fracture

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Abstract

Fractures of the ipsilateral femur and tibia are a devastating injury complex, usually as the consequence of high-energy traumatisme. We present a case of 42-year-old man, who sustained a simultaneous fracture of the femoral shaft and trifocal tibia. Our management consisted of treating both the femoral and the tibial fractures surgically, by intramedullary nailing and a percutaneous screw fixation of tibial and malleolar fracture. He was evaluated at 4 years of follow-up. With careful attention to some technical points, femoral fracture, ipsilateral tibial plateau, shaft and malleolar fractures can be managed successfully by combining two familiar techniques commonly employed for each injury in isolation.

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No funds were received in support of this study.

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Correspondence to Hichem Mnif.

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Mnif, H., Zrig, M., Koubaa, M. et al. An unusual combination of floating knee and trifocal articular tibial fracture. Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol 20, 255–258 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00590-009-0555-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00590-009-0555-2

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