Functional Outcomes of Patella Fractures Treated With Anterior Plate Osteosynthesis at One Year

To evaluate the functional outcomes of patients with displaced patellar fractures treated with anterior plate constructs.

Prospective cohort and retrospective clinical and radiographic assessment.

Level I Trauma Center.

Between 2014 and 2018, 18 patients who underwent operative intervention for an isolated, displaced patella fracture (OTA/AO 34C1-3) with a minimum of 1-year follow-up agreed to participate in the study. The mean follow-up was 19.5 ± 6.0 months.

Patients were treated with 2.4 or 2.7-mm plates and supplemental screws or cerclage wires.

Patients were evaluated with the Short Form-36 Survey and the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Scores and asked about symptomatic implants. The range of motion was assessed by goniometer.

The cohort had no wound complications, infections, nonunion, loss of reduction, or implant failure. Active knee flexion was 131 ± 7 degrees. Five patients (28%) endorsed implant irritation. Only one patient (5.5%) underwent implant removal, which consisted of transverse screw removal alone. Twelve of the 14 patients (86%), who were previously employed, returned to work at 10 ± 7 weeks. All Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Scores subscale scores and the Short Form-36 Survey scores for physical functioning, limitations due to physical health, limitations due to mental health, and social functioning were significantly lower than reference population norms (P < 0.05).

Anterior plating provides reliable fixation for displaced patellar fractures and results in a low incidence of implant irritation. However, patients who had anterior fixation for displaced patella fractures continue to exhibit functional deficits at 1-year postoperatively.

Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.