Does Far Cortical Locking Improve Fracture Healing in Distal Femur Fractures: A Randomised, Controlled, Prospective Multicentre Study

Abstract

(1) Background: Bone healing is influenced by various mechanical factors, such as stability, interfragmentary motion, strain rate, and direction of loading. Far cortical locking (FCL) is a novel screw design that promotes bone healing through controlled fracture motion. (2) Methods: This study compared the outcome of distal femur fractures treated with FCL or SL (standard locking) screws and an NCB plate in a randomised controlled prospective multicentre trial. The radiographic union scale (RUST) and healing time was used to quantify bone healing on follow-up imaging. (3) Results: The study included 21 patients with distal femur fractures, 7 treated with SL and 14 treated with FCL screws. The mean working length for patients with SL screws was 6.1, whereas for FCL screws, it was 3.9. The mean RUST score at 6 months post fracture was 8.0 for patients with SL plates and 7.3 for patients with FCL plates (p value > 0.05). The mean healing time was 6.5 months for patients with SL plates and 9.9 months for patients with FCL plates (p value < 0.05). (4) Conclusions: Fractures fixed with SL plates had longer working lengths and faster healing times when compared to FCL constructs, suggesting that an adequate working length is important for fracture healing regardless of screw choice.