Open Periprosthetic Patellar Fracture after Total Knee Replacement

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Periprosthetic patellar fractures are infrequent but complex complications following total knee arthroplasty (TKA).
• Limited literature exists on managing these fractures, with no prior reports on open patellar fractures around TKA.

Observation:

• A unique case of an open patellar fracture occurring above a total knee arthroplasty in a 56-year-old female patient is presented.
• This case highlights a rare traumatic injury pattern in the context of prosthetic joint replacement.

Findings:

• While operative management of periprosthetic patellar fractures often yields poor outcomes, it remains a viable consideration.
• The study emphasizes the potential benefit of surgical intervention for acute, post-traumatic patellar fractures in younger patients.

Implications:

• Surgical intervention should be carefully considered for acute patellar fractures in patients with TKA, particularly those with good bone stock.
• This case contributes to the limited understanding of managing open patellar fractures in the setting of total knee arthroplasty, guiding future treatment strategies.