title: Fracture of the patella treated by open reduction and external compressive skeletal fixation.
abstract: Open reduction combined with external compressive skeletal fixation was used to treat twenty-seven patients who had a separated fracture of the patella. Fixation was obtained by the use of two compressive clamps applied to stainless-steel pins that were inserted just proximal and distal to the proximal and distal poles of the patella. Range-of-motion exercises for the knee were begun at two weeks and the pins were removed at three to four weeks. All of the fractures healed. Twenty-four patients regained a range of motion that was equal to that of the opposite knee. There was no evidence of chronic osteomyelitis. Osteoarthritis was noted in one patient who refused excision of a portion of the patella.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001858:Bone Nails; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009984:Orthopedic Fixation Devices; D010329:Patella / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D011859:Radiography