Patella rings for treatment of patellar fracture

To evaluate a new fixation technique for patellar fracture using patella rings. A total of 75 patients (average age of 51.3 years) with comminuted or transverse patellar fractures were treated by fixation with patella rings. The Böstman scores at the time of bone union and at 12 months postoperatively were recorded, as was the degree of pain on a visual analogue scale (VAS), the range of motion of the knee at 12 months postoperatively, and any signs of postoperative complications. The average Böstman scores for patients in the transverse fracture group were 25.2 and 29.4 at 3 and 12 months postoperatively, respectively, while the scores for patients in the comminuted fracture group were 27.6 and 28.7, at the same time points. Böstman scores were graded as excellent and good in more than 90 % for patients with either a transverse or comminuted fracture. At the time of 12 months after surgery, the VAS score for patients with comminuted fractures was 0.38, whereas the score for patients in the transverse fracture group was 0.35. No statistically significant difference was found in the range of motion between the affected and uninjured knee at 12 months after surgery for patients in both groups (P > 0.05). This new fixation technique using a patella ring resulted in good outcomes for both transverse fracture and comminuted fracture and is beneficial for patients wishing to commence early functional activity. © 2012 Springer-Verlag France.