Karlstrom and Olerud described a functional assessment following repair of a floating knee, a term used to describe ipsilataral fracture of the femur and tibia.
Patient selection: status post repair of floating knee
Parameters:
(1) subjective symptoms in the lower extremity
(2) subjective symptoms in the knee or ankle joints
(3) walking ability
(4) ability to engage in work or sports
(5) angulation and/or rotational deformity
(6) shortening of the affected lower extremity
(7) restrictred joint mobility
Parameter |
Excellent Outcome |
Good Outcome |
---|---|---|
symptoms leg |
none |
intermittent, mild |
symptoms joints |
none |
intermittent, mild |
walking ability |
unimpaired |
intermittent, mild |
work or sport |
same as before accident |
work same as before accident, give up some sport |
angulation or rotation |
none |
less than 10 degrees |
shortening |
none |
less than 1 cm |
resticted joint mobility at ankle |
none |
less than 10 degrees |
restrictred joint mobility at hip and/or knee |
none |
less than 20 degrees |
Parameter |
Acceptable Outcome |
Poor Outcome |
---|---|---|
symptoms leg |
moderate to severe with impaired function |
considerable impairment with pain at rest |
symptoms joints |
moderate to severe with impaired function |
considerable impairment with pain at rest |
walking ability |
restricted distance |
needs can, crutch or other support |
work or sport |
change to less strenuous work |
permanent disability |
angulation or rotation |
10 to 20 degrees |
> 20 degrees |
shortening |
1 to 3 cm |
> 3 cm |
resticted joint mobility at ankle |
10 to 20 degrees |
> 20 degrees |
restricted joint mobility of hip and/or knee |
20 to 40 degrees |
> 40 degrees |
Specialty: Surgery, orthopedic