Skip to main content
Log in

Patella rings for treatment of patellar fracture

  • Original Article
  • Published:
European Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery & Traumatology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

To evaluate a new fixation technique for patellar fracture using patella rings. A total of 75 patients (average age of 51.3 years) with comminuted or transverse patellar fractures were treated by fixation with patella rings. The Böstman scores at the time of bone union and at 12 months postoperatively were recorded, as was the degree of pain on a visual analogue scale (VAS), the range of motion of the knee at 12 months postoperatively, and any signs of postoperative complications. The average Böstman scores for patients in the transverse fracture group were 25.2 and 29.4 at 3 and 12 months postoperatively, respectively, while the scores for patients in the comminuted fracture group were 27.6 and 28.7, at the same time points. Böstman scores were graded as excellent and good in more than 90 % for patients with either a transverse or comminuted fracture. At the time of 12 months after surgery, the VAS score for patients with comminuted fractures was 0.38, whereas the score for patients in the transverse fracture group was 0.35. No statistically significant difference was found in the range of motion between the affected and uninjured knee at 12 months after surgery for patients in both groups (P > 0.05). This new fixation technique using a patella ring resulted in good outcomes for both transverse fracture and comminuted fracture and is beneficial for patients wishing to commence early functional activity.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Bostrom A (1972) Fracture of the patella. A study of 422 patellar fractures. Acta Orthop Scand Suppl 143:1–80

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Hung LK, Lee SY, Leung KS, Chan KM, Nicholl LA (1993) Partial patellectomy for patellar fracture: tension band wiring and early mobilization. J Orthop Trauma 7(3):252–260

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Gosal HS, Singh P, Field RE (2001) Clinical experience of patellar fracture fixation using metal wire or non-absorbable polyester—a study of 37 cases. Injury 32(2):129–135

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Kinik H, Us AK, Mergen E (1999) Self-locking tension band technique. A new perspective in tension band wiring. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 119(7–8):432–434

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Smith ST, Cramer KE, Karges DE, Watson JT, Moed BR (1997) Early complications in the operative treatment of patella fractures. J Orthop Trauma 11(3):183–187

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Berg EE (1997) Open reduction internal fixation of displaced transverse patella fractures with figure-eight wiring through parallel cannulated compression screws. J Orthop Trauma 11(8):573–576

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Lotke PA, Ecker ML (1981) Transverse fractures of the patella. Clin Orthop Relat Res 158:180–184

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Yang L, Yueping O, Wen Y (2010) Management of displaced comminuted patellar fracture with titanium cable cerclage. Knee 17(4):283–286. doi:10.1016/j.knee.2010.02.005

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Yotsumoto T, Nishikawa U, Ryoke K, Nozaki K, Uchio Y (2009) Tension band fixation for treatment of patellar fracture: novel technique using a braided polyblend sutures and ring pins. Injury 40(7):713–717. doi:10.1016/j.injury.2008.10.032

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Smillie IS (1954) Dashboard fracture of patella. Br Med J 2(4881):203–205

    Article  CAS  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Carpenter JE, Kasman R, Matthews LS (1994) Fractures of the patella. Instr Course Lect 43:97–108

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Sanderson MC (1975) The fractured patella: a long-term follow-up study. Aust N Z J Surg 45(1):49–54

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Hung LK, Chan KM, Chow YN, Leung PC (1985) Fractured patella: operative treatment using the tension band principle. Injury 16(5):343–347

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Cramer KE, Moed BR (1997) Patellar fractures: contemporary approach to treatment. J Am Acad Orthop Surg 5(6):323–331

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Bostman O, Kiviluoto O, Nirhamo J (1981) Comminuted displaced fractures of the patella. Injury 13(3):196–202

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Scott JC (1949) Fractures of the patella. J Bone Joint Surg Br 31B(1):76–81

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Carpenter JE, Kasman RA, Patel N, Lee ML, Goldstein SA (1997) Biomechanical evaluation of current patella fracture fixation techniques. J Orthop Trauma 11(5):351–356

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Scilaris TA, Grantham JL, Prayson MJ, Marshall MP, Hamilton JJ, Williams JL (1998) Biomechanical comparison of fixation methods in transverse patella fractures. J Orthop Trauma 12(5):356–359

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Bostrom A (1974) Longitudinal fractures of the patella. Reconstr Surg Traumatol 14:136–146

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Einola S, Aho AJ, Kallio P (1976) Patellectomy after fracture. Long-term follow-up results with special reference to functional disability. Acta Orthop Scand 47(4):441–447

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Seligo W (1971) Fractures of the patella. Treatment and results. Reconstr Surg Traumatol 12:84–102

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Bruijn JD, Sanders RJ, Jansen BR (1993) Ossification in the patellar tendon and patella alta following sports injuries in children. Complications of sleeve fractures after conservative treatment. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 112(3):157–158

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Conflict of interest

The authors do not have any financial or personal affiliations with others or organizations that could inappropriately influence the work presented in this paper.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Haishan Wu.

Additional information

Shouli Wang and Fucun Liu are the co-first authors.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Liu, F., Wang, S., Zhu, Y. et al. Patella rings for treatment of patellar fracture. Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol 24, 105–109 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00590-012-1153-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00590-012-1153-2

Keywords

Navigation