The Result of the Tension Band Internal Fixation / 대한정형외과학회잡지

ABSTRACT

The principle of the tension band technique is to counteract the tensile forces acting across the fracture site and to convert them into compressive forces. We have experienced 37 fractures treated with tension band technique from 1975 to 1978 and the results are as followings; 1. 37 Cases of fracture were treated by tension band technique. Eight cases out of 37 were olecranon fractures. 16 cases were patellar fractures. 10 cases were malleclar fractures. and three cases were trochanteric fractures of the femur. 2. As post-operative immobilization, applied cast splint in almost of the cases except application of hip spica cast in trochanteric fracture. 3. The average duration of immobilization in each cases, 12 days in olecranon, two weeks in patella, four weeks in malleolus and six weeks in greater trochanter respectively. 4. The radiological union was obtained in seven weeks in olecranon, six weeks in patella, eight weeks in malleolus and six weeks in greater trochanter. 5. As complication, one case of nonunion in olecranon, one case of infection and, one case of wire breakage in patella and one case of traumatic arthritis in malleolus were noted, which needed further surgery. 6. In conclusion, tension band wiring is considered as a good method for the fractures involving joing, olecranon, patella, and malleolus because the technique has advantages such as rigid internal fixation, shortening the duration of immobilization and fracture healing and early mobilization of the neighboring joints.