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Patellar fractures. A 30-year follow-up
B Edwards1, O Johnell, I Redlund-Johnell
1Lund University Department of Orthopedics, Malmö General Hospital, Sweden.
Acta Orthopaedica Scandinavica
|December 1, 1989
Summary
Long-term follow-up of patellar fractures reveals that significant fracture displacement or incongruity often leads to subjective complaints and reduced quadriceps strength, impacting knee function.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Traumatology
- Knee Surgery
Background:
- Patellar fractures are common knee injuries.
- Long-term outcomes of patellar fractures require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the long-term clinical and radiographic outcomes of patellar fractures.
- To assess the correlation between fracture characteristics and patient-reported symptoms.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study of 40 patients with patellar fractures (1950-1958).
- Clinical and radiographic reevaluation performed 30 years post-injury.
- Assessment of subjective complaints, quadriceps strength, and radiographic parameters.
Main Results:
- Fourteen patients reported subjective complaints.
- Two-thirds of patients with >2mm diastasis or >1mm incongruity experienced complaints and reduced quadriceps strength.
- All patients showed reduced lateral patellofemoral distance on axial view, most pronounced with diastasis or incongruity.
Conclusions:
- Patellar fracture characteristics, specifically diastasis and incongruity, significantly influence long-term outcomes.
- Fracture severity correlates with persistent subjective complaints and functional deficits.
- Radiographic changes, including reduced lateral patellofemoral distance, are common sequelae.