Periprosthetic patellar fracture fixation using suture anchors.

Treatment of type II periprosthetic patellar fractures presents difficulties in decision-making particularly when displacement is greater than 10 mm. Poor results have been reported with internal fixation, whereas conservative management has been associated with a high incidence of extensor lag. This article reports a patient with a displaced type II patellar fracture following total knee arthroplasty. One month after undergoing total knee arthroplasty, a 72-year-old man presented to the emergency department with difficulty walking. Physical examination revealed an extensor lag with a palpable defect in the extensor mechanism. Radiographs showed a transverse, comminuted fracture through the distal third of the patella with a separation of approximately 15 mm. The patient underwent surgery, at which time the patellar component was found to be intact and well fixed to the proximal fragment. Three suture anchors were introduced into the proximal fragment through the fracture site. Tunnels were drilled in the distal fragment (through the fracture gap) corresponding to the location of the anchors; the sutures were threaded through these tunnels. Anatomical reduction was achieved with towel clips, and the sutures were tied at the distal pole. After the knots were tied, anatomical reduction was maintained, and the sutures were additionally used as cerclage around the patella. One year postoperatively, the fracture showed union, and the patient had good range of motion with no extensor lag. No patellar subluxation, avascular necrosis, or refracture occurred.

Minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis using a locking compression plate for distal femoral fractures.

PURPOSE: To evaluate treatment outcomes of minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) for distal femoral fractures in 31 patients. METHODS: 22 male and 9 female consecutive patients aged 21 to 65 (mean, 42) years underwent minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis using a locking compression plate (LCP) for distal femoral fractures. The causes of injury were vehicular accidents (n=24), falls (n=6), and assault (n=1). According to the AO classification, the fractures were classified as types A1 (n=10), A2 (n=7), and A3 (n=14). Most fractures were closed; 3 were Gustilo type-II fractures. Clinical and functional outcomes were assessed using the Knee Society Scores. RESULTS: The mean operating time was 70 (range, 60-100) minutes. The mean length of hospital stay was 9 (6-14) days. The mean time to union was 3.7 (range, 2.8-4.6) months. The mean follow-up period was 18 (14-26) months. At the one-year follow-up, 29 of the patients had good or excellent outcomes. No patient had angular or rotational deformity of >10º. One osteoporotic woman with a type-A1 fracture had implant failure at 10 weeks and underwent revision surgery. Another patient with a type-A1 fracture had persistent pain on the lateral aspect of the distal thigh and underwent implant removal at 22 months. No patient developed deep infection, malunion or nonunion. CONCLUSION: MIPO using a LCP achieves favourable biological fixation for distal femoral fractures with few complications. Bone grafting is not needed even in cases of metaphyseal comminution. Proper patient selection and preoperative planning are essential to prevent complications.