Surgical Outcomes Following Patella Fracture Repair: A Single-Center Retrospective Cohort Study.

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Trauma Management
• Biomechanics

Background:

• Patella fractures are uncommon orthopedic injuries requiring surgical intervention for unstable patterns to restore knee function.
• Various surgical techniques exist, each with distinct complication profiles and recovery expectations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate surgical outcomes, complication rates, and recovery durations for patella fractures over a 15-year period.
• To compare the effectiveness of different surgical fixation methods for patella fractures.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective cohort study analyzed 100 patella fractures from 2008-2023.
• Data included fracture morphology, surgical technique (e.g., tension band wiring, screw fixation), complications, and recovery time.
• Standardized physiotherapy protocols were followed for all patients.

Main Results:

• 65% of fractures underwent surgical fixation, with transverse and comminuted patterns being most prevalent.
• Tension band wiring (TBW) was the most common technique, associated with a high complication rate (24.6%) primarily due to hardware irritation.
• Average recovery was 7.4 months, influenced by fixation method; conservative management showed the shortest recovery (2.7 months).

Conclusions:

• Surgical patella fracture management yields good functional outcomes but is linked to significant postoperative complications and reoperations, particularly hardware irritation with TBW.
• Individualized treatment based on fracture type and patient factors is crucial.
• Further research is needed to optimize surgical techniques and rehabilitation protocols for patella fractures.