Fixation of Closed Transverse Patella Fracture with Cannulated Cancellous Screws and Anterior Tension Band Wiring- A Prospective Study

Abstract

Patella fractures accounts for 1% of all skeletal injuries. Patella fractures usually need to be treated with accurate reduction and fixation to obtain optimal knee function. Improper reduction of the articular fragments leads to complications like arthritis and quadriceps dysfunction. Tension band wiring and pasting are commonly performed fixation methods. Tension band wiring with K-wires is associated with wire prominence and soft tissue irritation. Cannulated cancellous screw fixation of the fracture and tension band wiring through the cannulated screws avoid the complication of wire migration and breakage. In our study, we fixed these fractures with cannulated cancellous screws and tension band. This is a prospective study done in SRMC from 2012-2017. A total of 17 Patients with transverse patella fracture are taken into a study, 4mm cannulated cancellous screws with 18 mm stainless steel wire is used for anterior tension band wiring. Extensor retinaculum closure is done for all these patients. All patients had excellent knee function, according to KSS. There was no case of implant prominence or soft issue irritation in any of these patients. One patient had extensor lag. Cannulated cancellous screw with anterior tension band wiring is a reliable, effective and reproducible technique in treating transverse patella fractures.