The authors report their experience of the surgical fixation of supra- and intercondylar fractures over a 13 year period. Twenty eight cases were reviewed with a mean follow-up of 3 years and 85% good and very good results. Postoperative complications were related to defective fixation and inappropriate material. The 4 poor or tolerable results involved compound and comminutive fractures in the context of polytrauma or complicated by sepsis. Amongst the various plates used, A0 3.5 plates (strong and mouldable) provided satisfactory fixation with the possibility of early physical rehabilitation (between 3 and 21 days).