ABSTRACT
Objective To report surgical outcomes of managing comminuted fractures of the inferior patellar pole with separate vertical wiring plus anchor suture fixation.Methods From January 2010 to January 2015,37 patients with comminuted fractures of the inferior patellar pole were treated with separate vertical wiring and anchor suture fixation.They were 15 men and 22 women,from 32 to 76 years of age (average,55.1 years).The intervals from fracture to surgery ranged from 2 to 3 days (average,2.1 days).According to the AO classification,all the fractures were type 34-A1.The visual analogue scale (VAS) scores,ranges of motion (ROM) of the knee,Bostman scores and postoperative complications were recorded at 6 weeks,3,6 and 12 months and the final follow-up postoperatively.Results The follow-up time for the 37 patients averaged 16 months (range,from 12 to 23 months).The fracture union time averaged 10 weeks after surgery (range,from 8 to 13 weeks).At postoperative 6 weeks,3,6 and 12 months and the final follow-up,respectively,the average VAS scores were 2.5,1.1,0.3,0.2 and 0.2 points,the average ranges of motion 109.5°,123.7°,128.6°,129.1° and 132.5°,and the average Bostman scores 23.7,26.9,29.1,29.4 and 29.6 points.No patient reported delayed union,nonunion,loss of reduction,wire breakage,wound problem or irritation from the implant.Conclusion Separate vertical wiring combined with anchor suture fixation is a useful technique for comminuted fractures of the inferior patellar pole,for it is easy to perform,allows early functional exercise and leads to fine curative outcomes.