title: A novel technique of patella fracture fixation facilitating early mobilization and reducing re-operation rates.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Fractures of patella constitute 1% of all fractures. Various techniques have been described for internal fixation of patella fractures. Superiority of one technique over the other has long been debated. We reviewed a series of fifty-one patients with transverse or comminuted fractures of patella treated with a novel technique to assess if it had any advantages over the existing methods of fixation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective.
  
  
  METHODS
  A tertiary care centre.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-one patients with patella fracture OTA 34C, with a mean age of 39 years (range 18-61) were treated with technique of cerclage and two tension bands at our institute. Forty-eight patients completed the study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Range of Motion and evidence of radiological union were assessed at regular follow-ups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty-four out of forty-eight patients had gained up-to 90 degrees of active flexion at the end of 1 week. Two patients (4.2%) developed superficial infection. All fractures had united at the end of 12 weeks. Five patients (10.3%) underwent a second surgery; four (8.3%) due to implant related complications. Malunion or non-union was not noted in any of the cases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The advantages of the described method are early mobilization, elimination of k-wire related complications, and ease of use in comminuted fracture pattern as well and a lower reoperation rates as compared to the available literature. We strongly recommend its use in cases of displaced comminuted/transverse fractures of patella as an alternate method of treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Level III.
authors.affiliation: P.D. Hinduja National Hospital & Medical Research Centre, Veer Savarkar Marg, Mahim, Mumbai 400016, India.
authors.forename: Sanjay
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Agarwala
authors.affiliation: P.D. Hinduja National Hospital & Medical Research Centre, Veer Savarkar Marg, Mahim, Mumbai 400016, India.
authors.forename: Pranshu
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Agrawal
authors.affiliation: P.D. Hinduja National Hospital & Medical Research Centre, Veer Savarkar Marg, Mahim, Mumbai 400016, India.
authors.forename: Anshul
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sobti
keywords: Cerclage wiring; Patella fracture; Tension band; k-wire related complications