Patella Fractures outcome after Tension Band Wiring; a Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Objective: The most common technique for fixing patella fractures is tension band wiring (TBW). The current study aimed to assess the functional and radiological outcomes of the patellar fractures treated by TBW. Patients and Methods: This retrospective cohort study was performed on 78 patients who underwent TBW of patellar fracture in Akhtar Orthopedic Hospital, Tehran, Iran, from September 2015 to April 2018 and had completed a two-year follow-up. A surgical intervention consisting of open reduction and internal fixation was performed on all patients using TBW. Patients were evaluated two years postoperatively by clinical examination, radiographic investigation, and three scales (Tegner activity score [TAS], Lysholm knee score [LKS], and lower extremity functional scale [LEFS]). Result: Of the 78 patients, 48 (61.5%) were male, with a mean age of 36.7 13.1 years. Postoperatively, 41 (52.6%) patients had anterior knee pain, and four (5%) patients had an infection. Knee range of motion was limited in 20 (25.6%) patients. The mean postoperative TAS, LKS, and LEFS mean scores were 4.3 1.34, 85.97 9.21, and 69.62 6.68, respectively. Age was inversely correlated with LKS and LEFS, as both scores decreased with increasing age (p 0.001, r:-0.4). Younger patients (under 30 years old) were more likely to reach their pre-injury TAS score than older patients (p 0.001). In addition, patellofemoral osteoarthritis and patella baja were significantly higher in patients with comminuted fractures than in those with simple fracture patterns (p 0.001). Conclusion: We found acceptable outcomes after fixation with TBW, especially in younger patients; LKS and LEFS scores were lower in the elderly, and younger patients were more likely to reach closer to their pre-injury TAS score. Furthermore, patellofemoral osteoarthritis and patella baja were associated with comminuted patella fractures.