ABSTRACT
Background: Patella is the largest sesamoid bone in the body situated in the quadriceps tendon1. The main function of patella is to improve the efficiency of quadriceps muscle by improving the mechanical leverage of the quadriceps muscle. Patellar fractures are common and it constitutes about 1% of all skeletal injuries resulting from either direct or indirect trauma2.The subcutaneous location of the patella makes it vulnerable to direct trauma.Aims of the study were to evaluate the clinical outcome of Transverse fractures of patella treated with modified tension band wiring. The objectives of the study are to study the advantages of modified tension band wiring fixation in patellar fracture, the complications associated with this method of fixation and to assess the role of early mobilization with this technique. Methods: This prospective study is done in Department of Orthopaedics at R L Jalappa Hospital and Research Center, attached to Sri DevarajUrs Medical College, Kolarduring the period from December 2010 to June 2012. This study consists of 30 cases of displaced transverse fracture patella treated by modified tension band wiring. The cases were selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. After pre anaesthetic fitness patient, patient was operated (tension band wiring). Operatedknee was immobilized in extension in an above knee posterior slab, and advised to do straight leg raising test.Weight bearing was started from 3rd post-operative day. Sutures were removed on 12th to 14thpost operative day. The discharged patients were advised to report for follow up every month, during each follow up the patients were examined for both subjective symptoms and objective signs which was recorded. The patients were questioned about subjective complaints like pain, difficulty in walking, squatting, climbing and getting down stairs and ability to perform routine work. The patient’s objective assessment was done for Extensor lag, Range of knee movement, circumference of thigh (wasting) and Efficacy of quadriceps (power).Results: The range of age of fracture of patella in our series was between 19-70 years, the mean age was 42 years and the incidence was high in the age group of 31-40 years. In a total of 30 cases, 24 fractures were in men and 6 fractures were in females.22 fractures were as a result of indirect mechanism and 8 cases were due to direct trauma to the patella as in RTA. 17 patients had fracture on the right side and 13 patients had fracture on the left side.Average duration between injuries to hospital admission was about 1.16 days. The average duration between the days of admission to the day of surgery is about 2.93 days and the average duration of stay in hospital is about 13.2 days (ranging from 11 to 22 days).No intra operative complications like fragmentation at wiring, difficulty in closure were encountered. Results were excellent in 26 cases, good in 3 cases and bad in 1 caseasper west’s criteria. Conclusion: Thus we conclude that anatomical reduction and stable fixation in patellar fracture is necessary for the normal integrity and stability of the joint.Early post-operative physiotherapy plays an important role in final outcome, which helps in reducing complication like stiffness of knee and in providing good functional. Our outcome was not influenced by the associated injuries. Long-term follow up is necessary to assess late complications like osteoarthritis and late functional outcome.