Clinical and Functional Outcome of Different Operative Modalities of Treatment for Floating Knee

Introduction: Ipsilateral fractures of the femur and tibia are called as floating knee injuries and may include a combination victims are usually young adults. As the byproduct of horse power race, high velocity accidents are now a common place. Major consideration from this injury is condition of knee. The aim of the study was to evaluate clinical and functional outcome of different operative modalities of treatment for ipsilateral fractures of femur and tibia in Indian scenario. Material and Methods: The study was a prospective study conducted between 2017 and 2020. The study is about functional outcome of surgical management of Ipsilateral Fracture of Femur and Tibia in Adults (The Floating Knee). Floating knee was classified according to Blake and McBryde’s classification. The plan of management for the given patient was made depending on the fracture type, and associated soft tissue injuries. Follow Up was taken post operatively and functional assessment was done with respect to type of fixation and classification. Conclusion: Floating knee injuries are due to high velocity trauma. Road traffic accidents particularly two wheeler accidents is the most common cause. Males are affected more commonly. Many are associated with other injuries such as patellar fractures, radius fractures and vascular injuries. Good postoperative results are obtained in patients with diaphyseal fractures of both bones treated with intramedullary interlocking nails. And mobilized early in the post operative period with hip, knee and ankle active range of motion. Patients with compound fractures with external fixation as primary treatment had prolonged immobilization of knee joint and are associated with poor results. Most of the patients with floating knee injuries are young adults, stiffness of the knee or ankle can be an enormous handicap to these patients, whose demands and expectations are high