Treatment of Transverse Patellar Fracture with Cannulated Screws

Jung-Man Kim; Ju-Seok Yoo; Yong-Jin Kwon; Jang-Ok Cheon

doi:10.12671/jkfs.2007.20.2.149

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Kim, Yoo, Kwon, and Cheon: Treatment of Transverse Patellar Fracture with Cannulated Screws

Original Article

Journal of the Korean Fracture Society 2007; 20(2): 149-153.

Published online: 14 June 2016

DOI: https://doi.org/10.12671/jkfs.2007.20.2.149

Treatment of Transverse Patellar Fracture with Cannulated Screws

Jung-Man Kim, M.D., Ju-Seok Yoo, M.D.^*, Yong-Jin Kwon, M.D., Jang-Ok Cheon, M.D.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Kangnam St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

^*Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Korean Orthopaedic Clinic, Suwon, Korea.

Address reprint requests to: Ju-Seok Yoo, M.D. Korean Orthopaedic Clinic, 260-20, Yeonmu-dong, Jangan-gu, Suwon 440-814, Korea. Tel: 82-31-251-7114, Fax: 82-31-251-7703, powerdoctor@korea.com

Abstract

Purpose

To assess the indication and effect of screw fixation in the transverse patellar fractures.

Materials and Methods

We analysed the results of 14 transverse patellar fractures fixed with screws from January 1991 to May 2005. Mean follow-up period was 47 months (range, 12~143 months). We analysed the radiologic union, operation time, ROM and postoperative Lysholm score.

Results

All fractures healed uneventfully. The mean displacement was decreased from 2.2 mm preoperatively to 0.3 mm postoperatively (p=0.001, Wilcoxon signed rank test). The mean operation time was 34 minutes (range, 20 to 60 minutes). Normal range of motion was achieved in 13 knees (92.9%). Average Lysholm score was 95.9 at final follow-up.

Conclusion

Screw fixation seemed to be useful for treatment of transverse patellar fracture even in comminuted fractures with large fragments. The advantage of this technique was the preservation of extensor mechanism, simplicity, short operation time and good cosmesis.

Keywords: Patella, Transverse fracture, Screw fixation

Figures and Tables

Fig. 1

Definition of separation and displacement. The separation is defined as '(a+b)/2' and the displacement is defined as 'c'.

Fig. 2

(A) Preoperative radiographs show the separation and displacement in articular surface of patella.

(B) Radiographs taken in 3 months after operation show anatomic reduction and complete union.

Fig. 3

Full squatting is possible at final follow-up.

Table 1

Results of cases

^*Pre Sep: Preoperative separation, Pre Dis: Preoperative displacement, Post Sep: Postoperative separation, Post dis: Postoperative displacement, ^†FF: Further flexion, FC: Flexion contracture, ^‡T+C: Transverse fracture with comminution, T-C: Transverse fracture without comminution.

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