OrthoNet

Distal femur - lateral approach

* position - supine with bolster under thigh

* incision - over indentation btw BF & IT band to flare of fem. condyle

* internervous plane - BF (sciatic n.) & vastus lat. (fem. n.)

* dissection
- incise IT band just ant. to lat. intermuscular septum
- ID vast. lat. & retract ant.
- below vastus lat. lies lat. sup. genicular art.
- incise periosteum at jxn btw shaft & flare of femur
- subperiosteal dissection distally & med. over the top of the LFC

* dangers
- CPN - can be injured if sug. plane is strayed out of to post. side of BF
- lat. sup. genicualr art.
- popliteal art.