Abstract
Introduction
Throughout the years treatment of patellar fractures have been held in much controversy and various treatment procedures have been described. In the literature, there are only a few studies that compare the results of the different treatment modalities.
Materials & Methods
This study reviews our experience with patellar fractures and correlates results of different treatment modalities to grade of patellar comminution and to the length of follow-up. It consists of 114 patients (71 M, 43 F, 17–76 year old: mean- 43 years), followed for 2–9 years (mean- 3.5 years). Patients were treated by P.O.P. cast for undisplaced fractures (12 Pts), and by various surgical modalities for displaced or comminuted fractures such as O.R.I.F (53 Pts), partial patellectomy (37 Pts) and total patellectomy (12 Pts). Patients were evaluated by Lisholm functional score, by objective knee tests, and radiographically.
Results
Correlation to treatment modalities showed that functional results were excellent and good in 86% of the patients following conservative treatment by P.O.P. cast, 77% treated by O.R.I.F., 75% treated by partial patellectomy and 78% treated by total patellectomy (objective results −79%, 72%, 72%, 66.66% respectively). No statistical differences were found between these groups. However, the correlation between these treatment modalities to grade of patellar comminution revealed that in two fragment fractures similar results were observed following partial patellectomy and O.R.I.F., whereas in patients with three or more fragment fractures, a significantly better outcome was observed after partial patellectomy (79% and 62% respectively). The patients with comminuted patellar fractures treated by partial patellectomy had also a better short and long-term outcome than with all other techniques.
Conclusions
Based on this study it seems that O.R.I.F. remains as the first optimal treatment in simple two parts patellar fractures, where partial patellectomy should be considered as the treatment of choice in patients with patellar fractures of three or more fragments. Total patellectomy is the optional treatment in patients with comminuted fractures.
