Background: Patellar fractures are common intra-articular fractures. Arthroscopically assisted reduction and fixation has been shown to advantageous in the treatment of patellar fractures.
Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effect of arthroscopically assisted percutaneous minimally invasive Kirschner wire tension band fixation on the treatment of patellar fractures.
Methods: Thirty-four patients with acute closed patellar fractures enrolled in the study and were managed by arthroscopically assisted percutaneous minimally invasive Kirschner wire tension band fixation under epidural anesthesia. Among these patients, 24 were males, and ten were females. The mean age of these patients was 38 ± 0.8 years (range: 25-62 years). Of these patients, 20 had transverse fractures, five had longitudinal fractures, four had marginal oblique fractures, and five had multifragmentary upper and lower pole. Fracture causes: 25 were caused by falls, and nine were caused by traffic accidents. The time from injury to operation was 6-48 hours, with an average of 23 hours. The average post-operative follow-up was 12.8 months, and at the end of follow-up, the Boestman scoring system was used to evaluate knee joint function.
Results: All the wounds healed by first intention, and no infections, skin necrosis, joint stiffness, or other complications occurred. Three months after operation, the tension band wire had broken in one patient, but the fracture had united, and this did not affect the prognosis. In eight patients, the average circumference at 10 cm above the patella was 0.6 cm less on the injured side than on the contralateral side. The average Boestman score was 27.5. The final result was excellent in 25 patients, good in eight patients, and acceptable in one patient.
Conclusion: Arthroscopic management of simple patellar fracture with percutaneous minimally invasive Kirschner wire tension band fixation is less invasive than open operation, while still leading to firm fixation, and is conducive to early functional training and functional recovery, and thus is an effective method of management for patellar fractures.
Keywords: Patellar fracture; arthroscopy; internal fixation; percutaneous; tension band.