Vastus medialis obliquus advancement in association with patellectomy in cases of highly comminuted patellar fractures

ABSTRACT

The results of 13 total patellectomy, combined with vastus medialis obliquus [VMO] advancement in 13 patients followed-up for 9-to-40 months were analyzed. The patients included 9 [69.2%] males, and the other 4 [30.8%] were females. Their ages ranged from 20-to-40 years old. The indication for patellectomy was severely comminuted fracture of the patella. A direct blow to the patella was the causative trauma for all cases; 9 [69.2%] fractures were closed, and 4 [30.8%] were opened. Associated injuries were reported in 3 [23.1%] patients Colles' fracture, forearm bones fracture, and open intercondylar-supracondylar fracture femur. Functional assessment of the patients was carried out using the scoring scales described by Marshall, et al., 1977; and Levack, et al., 1985 [18-21]. The overall results according to Marshall, et al., were scored 7.5/8 points which considered excellent - and scored 8.2/9 points according to Levack, et al., which considered good. This technique appears to give better functional results as regards pain, discomfort, range of knee movements, quadriceps function and functional activities including walking, running jumping, and squatting