OBJECTIVETo study therapeutic effects of limited internal fixation combined with external fixation in the treatment of deformity of distal end of femur, as well as to explore its effect on the function of knee joint.

METHODSFrom June 2004 to June 2009, 38 patients with deformity of distal end of femur were treated with osteotomy at femoral supracondylar and internalfixation combined with hybrid external fixator. Among the patients, 19 patients were male and 19 patients were female, ranging in age from 14 to 58 years, with an average of 26 years. Six patients had genu valgum, 4 patients had varus of the distal end of femur, 2 patients had varus combined with rotation deformity,3 patients had genu recurvation and 23 patients had deformity of genuflex. The function of knee joint was evaluated according to Dimeglio clinical assessment after the treatment.

RESULTSAll the patients were followed up and the during ranged from 6 to 48 months, with a mean period of 23 months. All the deformity obtained satisfactory correction, without complications such as limitation of motion of the knee joint, under correction or over correction,displacement of the section of the osteotomy,internal fixation loosening and fracture. Nineteen patients got an excellent result, 12 good, 5 poor and 2 bad.

CONCLUSIONSupracondylar femoral osteotomy and internal fixation combined with hybrid external fixator is a safe and effective surgery for the treatment of deformity of distal end of femur. This method combines the advantages of internal fixation and external fixation.