ABSTRACT
Objective To analyze the diagnosis and treatment of lacerated fractures of the inferior patella in children. Methods Totally 7 children with lacerated fractures of the inferior patella have been treated by surgery since 1989. Their ages ranged from 8 to 15 years old, and symptom duration from 1 hour to 6 days. 3 of them were fixed by Kirschner wire and tension belt, and 4 sutured with absorbable suture line in the shape of “8”. The evaluation of treatment effects was done according to the relevant knee joint scoring system. Results Postoperative follow ups ranged from 1 to 4 years. The radiograms after operation showed that the fractures united completely. The joint functions of all patients were excellent. Conclusion In the absence of MR (magnetic resonance), the lacerated fractures of the inferior patella can be diagnosed by analyzing the case history, symptoms, physical signs and the results of patella position measurements, before definite confirmation by surgical check-up.