Treatment of displaced fractures of the patella: Tension band wiring technique with the one-end or both-ends K-wire bending fixation method

Abstract

Purpose: Tension band wiring technique has been widely used for treating patellar fracture. Conventional techniques are associated with some complications and several modifications have been introduced to increase stabilization. The purpose of this study was to compare two different fixation techniques, the one-end and both-ends Kirschner wire bending fixation methods. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed patient data from 2013 to 2017, including the age, sex, body height, body weight, BMI, lesion of injury, trauma mechanism, fracture displacement and classification, type of fixation, fracture healing duration, length of follow-up, clinical results and complications. The surgical outcome was assessed using the pain score (VAS), Lysholm knee score, and knee joint ROM. Plain radiographs were used to evaluate radiographic outcomes and assess the fracture union duration and hardware complications. We performed statistical analysis to compare these two different fixation techniques. Results: There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of demographic data, fracture healing duration, level of the K-wires, distance between the K-wires, or length of the K-wires over the patella length (all p > 0.05). There were significant differences in the VAS score, K-wire migration, flexion degree, ROM, and Lysholm score (all p < 0.001) between the two different fixation methods. Conclusion: The both-ends K-wire bending fixation method has a lower complication rate and results in a better clinical outcome than the one-end K-wire bending fixation method. This revised technique can effectively control both ends of the K-wires, thus eliminating the possibility of K-wire migration and improving the fixation stability.