THE USE OF A MINIATURE EXTERNAL FIXATOR FOR THE COMPRESSION TREATMENT OF PATELLAR FRACTURE:A REPORT OF 60 CASES / 解放军医学杂志

Sixty cases of different types of patellar fractures were treated from December 1986 to October 1990 by a self-designed miniature external fixator. The patients were followed-up for 6 months to 4 years, and there was not a single case of infection, prepatellar bursitis or early degeneration of the knee joint. The structure of the fixator is simple and the operation is easy. It is a versatile tool, because it can be used either for extension or for compression.since the pins are inserted without operation, it gives rise to little pain. Under the present treatment bone healing is rapid and the function of the knee joint is well preserved. The rate of excellent result reaches 98.2 per cent