title: Partial patellectomy for patellar fracture: tension band wiring and early mobilization.
abstract: Partial patellectomy for patellar fracture was performed in 56 patients. The patellar tendon-to-bone repair was reinforced by a figure-of-eight tension band wire loop from the patella down to the tibial tubercle. Early mobilization and weight bearing of the injured extremity was initiated within the first postoperative week. Thirty-one patients treated between 1977 and 1980 were reviewed retrospectively at an average of 22 months (range 3-49 months). Twenty-five patients treated between 1984 and 1987 were studied prospectively: Knee function was monitored at 5.5 weeks after injury, at 3 months, and at final follow-up at a mean of 25 months (range 8-48 months). Satisfactory knee function was recovered by 3 months. No disruption of knee extensor mechanism was encountered. Complications were frequent in the retrospective series. A high percentage of patients had radiological osteoarthritis after the fracture. This could be due to alteration of the patellofemoral articulation after part of the patella was excised.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, N.T.
authors.forename: L K
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Hung
authors.forename: S Y
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: K S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Leung
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Nicholl
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001864:Bone Wires; D002648:Child; D004434:Early Ambulation; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000209:etiology; D010329:Patella / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies