FUNCTIONAL OUTCOME OF COMMINUTED PATELLAR FRACTURE FIXATION USING PATELLAR MESH PLATE

Abstract

Comminuted patellar fractures pose a challenging problem in orthopedic surgery due to the complexity of fracture patterns and the potential for compromised knee function. This study aimed to evaluate the functional outcomes of patients with comminuted patellar fractures treated with patellar mesh plate fixation at CMH Rawalpindi's Department of Orthopedic Surgery. A retrospective study was conducted at the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at CMH Rawalpindi between September 2022 and August 2023. This retrospective study comprised 28 patients with comminuted patellar fractures treated at the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at CMH Rawalpindi between September 2022 and August 2023. The non-probability purposive sample approach was utilized to enroll 28 patients. who had surgery with a patellar mesh plate. The patients were seen in the outpatient department at 6 and 18 weeks. At 18 weeks, the variables specified in the Modified Hospital for Special Surgery Knee Score were recorded, and the Knee Score was computed and analyzed. This study included 18(64.28%) male patients and 10(35.71%) female patients. The average age was 24.96±5.09 years, ranging from 15 to 75 years. There were 2(7.14%) patients aged 15-25 years, 10(39.28%) patients aged 26-35, 8(28.57%) patients aged 36-45, 2(7.14%) patients aged 46-55, 3(10.71%) patients aged 56-65, and 2(7.14%) patients aged 66-75 years. The MHSSKS assessed the patient's well-being. The age distribution of our patients was: 11 patients (39.28%) were 75–56 years old, 12(42.85%) were 55–36 years old, and 5(17.85%) were 35–25 years old. This mean score quantifies our patients' knee function and health. The "Excellent" category indicated significant improvements in knee function and quality of life in 13 patients (46.42%). Twelve patients (42.85%) had a "Good" functional result, and three patients (10.71%) had a "Fair" functional result, suggesting some knee function improvement, but less than those in the Excellent and Good groups. Patellar mesh plate fixation affects comminuted fracture rehabilitation and recovery via functional outcome categories. Patellar mesh plate fixation could be an effective surgical treatment for comminuted patellar fractures with good functional results. However, patient considerations and fracture characteristics should be addressed while choosing a therapy. These results need to be confirmed by larger future studies with longer follow-ups.