Ambulatory dynamic patellar traction for patellar reconstruction.
When severe adjacent soft tissue injury precludes early operative repair of the patellar tendon, proximal migration of the patella and secondary quadriceps contracture may occur. Ambulatory dynamic patellar traction employs a cast brace assembly that prevents or corrects early proximal migration of the patella. The cast brace assembly incorporates a transverse threaded Steinmann pin through the patella, wire loops on the leg section of a cast brace, rubber band traction between the Steinmann pin and the wire loops, and drop lock knee hinges. The use of drop lock hinges allows passive knee motion when the lock is released and ambulation with a stable knee when the hinge is locked. Application of the dynamic ambulatory traction method is employed in the case of a 21-year-old man who sustained a severe electrical burn to the knee with loss of anterior soft tissue, including the patellar tendon. The prescribed traction method corrected early proximal migration of the patella prior to infrapatellar tendon reconstruction.
D000328:Adult; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D002058:Burns, Electric / Q000628:therapy*; D002370:Casts, Surgical; D006801:Humans; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000628:therapy*; D007719:Knee Joint; D008023:Ligaments, Articular / Q000293:injuries; D008297:Male; D010329:Patella; D013708:Tendon Injuries; D014143:Traction