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Population-based epidemiology and incidence of distal femur fractures

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Abstract

Purpose

The literature lacks recent epidemiological studies on the incidence, trauma mechanism and fracture classification of distal femur fractures. The aim of the present study was to provide up-to-date information concerning the incidence of distal femur fractures in a large and complete population and to report on the distribution of fracture classification, trauma mechanisms and patient baseline demographics.

Methods

The approach for this study was via a retrospective reviews of records.

Results

A total of 293 patients were treated for 302 distal femur fractures between 2005 and 2010. The mean age at the time of fracture was 62.2 years. The mean age was 44.0 years for males and 71.6 years for females. The gender distribution was 33.4% males and 66.6% females. The overall incidence of distal femur fractures was 8.7/100,000/year. After the age of 60 years, a rapid increase in the incidence of distal femoral fractures was observed in both genders, with a large female predominance. Low-energy injuries were the most common mode of injury in both genders (97%), with approximately 61% being the result of a fall from standing height. AO classification type A (extra-articular fractures) was the most common of all fractures (38.6%). Eighty-four patients (28.7%) were admitted with periprosthetic fractures, corresponding to an overall incidence of periprosthetic fractures of 2.4/100,000/year.

Conclusions

The present study shows an incidence of 8.7/100,000/year of distal femur fractures. After the age of 60 years, a rapid increase in the incidence of distal femoral fractures was observed in both genders, with a considerable female predominance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg University, 18-22 Hobrovej, DK-9000, Aalborg, Denmark

    Rasmus Elsoe & Adriano Axel Ceccotti

  2. Department of Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark

    Peter Larsen

Authors
  1. Rasmus Elsoe
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  2. Adriano Axel Ceccotti
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  3. Peter Larsen
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Rasmus Elsoe.

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Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest concerning this article.

The authors did not receive benefits or grants in any form from a commercial party related directly or indirectly to the subject of this article.

Ethical approval

This study was conducted in accordance with the ethical standards of the responsible committee and with the ethical principles of the 1975 Declaration of Helsinki. The study was approved by the Danish Data Protection Agency (J. no.: 2008–58-0028 id-number: 2016–221). For this type of study formal consent is not required.

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Elsoe, R., Ceccotti, A.A. & Larsen, P. Population-based epidemiology and incidence of distal femur fractures. International Orthopaedics (SICOT) 42, 191–196 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-017-3665-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-017-3665-1

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