Management of patella fractures associated with central third bone-patella tendon-bone autograft ACL reconstructions

Patella fractures are an acknowledged complication of cruciate ligament reconstructions that use bone-tendon-bone autografts. Two fracture patterns are seen: a nondisplaced longitudinal patellar fissure fracture recognized interoperatively and the classic displaced transverse fracture that disrupts the extensor mechanism. Rigid fixation techniques are described for each fracture type that minimally affect rehabilitative efforts.