title: Delayed migration of K-wire into popliteal fossa used for tension band wiring of patellar fracture.
abstract: Breakage of K-wires and stainless steel wires which are used for fracture fixation is not uncommon, but migration is rare. We report a case of migration of broken K-wire used for patella tension band wiring to the popliteal fossa. The broken hardware was removed surgically. We would like to suggest that K-wire and wire fixation used for treatment of patellar fractures can migrate into the posterior compartment of the knee and cause clinical symptoms. Close clinical and radiological follow-up after internal fixation to identify the presence of hardware breakage or movement and removal of wires once fracture has united can avert such complications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi 110029, India.
authors.forename: Sanjay
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Meena
authors.forename: Hira-Lal
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Nag
authors.forename: Senthil
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: Nilesh
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Barwar
authors.forename: Samarth
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mittal
authors.forename: Amit
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Singla
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001864:Bone Wires; D004868:Equipment Failure; D005548:Foreign-Body Migration / Q000209:etiology*; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010329:Patella / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D011859:Radiography; D013997:Time Factors