ABSTRACT
Among many kinds of internal fixation techniques for the transverse fracture of the patella, AO modified tension band wiring technique and Pyrford technique have been widely used. However, it seems that those techniques are not strong enough to withstand immediate full weight bearing and full range of motion exercise postoperatively. Instead, a load sharing wiring technique seems to be more effective fixation technique. A comparative study was performed to evaluate the load sharing wiring technique using porcine patellae. Transverse fractures of thirty knees were made and were fixed with 3 different fixation technique. 1) AO modified tension band wiring technique, 2) Pyrford technique, and 3) Load sharing wiring technique. Then, those knees were mounted on the material testing system (Instron 4204(R)) and longitudinal traction was applied. The result showed that the separation of the fracture fragments was much less with the load sharing wiring technique than with the AO modified tension band wiring technique and the Pyrford tehchnique when 5 kg to 25 kg of traction was applied(P<0.05). The load sharing wiring technique showed less than 0.4mm of separation at 25~50kg of traction, where other techniques led specimen to failure. From this study, it was suggested that the load sharing wiring technique was proved to be more effective fixation technique compared to other techniques.