J Korean Orthop Assoc.  2021 Dec;56(6):540-545. 10.4055/jkoa.2021.56.6.540.

Treatment of Transverse Patella Fracture with Minimally Invasive Load-Sharing Patellar Tendon Suture and Cannulated Screws

• Lee BS
• Park BM
• Yang BS
• Kim KW

• KMID: 2523286
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4055/jkoa.2021.56.6.540

Abstract

A transverse fracture is the most common type of displaced patella fracture requiring surgery. These fractures are commonly fixed with parallel Kirschner wires or screws that cross the fracture line, often with an additional tension band. Nevertheless, conventional fixation methods of patella fractures have prevalent complications caused by the protrusion of wires or pins. These complications necessitate additional surgery for hardware removal, increase medical cost, and can limit the function of the knee joint. This paper reports cases treated with a minimally invasive load-sharing percutaneous suture of the patella tendon. The procedure provides reliable fixation for transverse patella fractures, minimizes soft tissue injuries, preserves blood flow, and reduces postoperative pain. In addition, the procedure also reduces the irritation and pain caused by the internal fixture, thereby reducing the risk of restricted knee joint movement.

Keyword

patella fracture; minimally invasive technique; load-sharing suture; percutaneous suture