The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Vol 69, Issue 1 83-89, Copyright © 1987 by Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Inc
Fracture of the patella treated by open reduction and external compressive skeletal fixation
QY Liang and JW Wu
Open reduction combined with external compressive skeletal fixation was
used to treat twenty-seven patients who had a separated fracture of the
patella. Fixation was obtained by the use of two compressive clamps applied
to stainless-steel pins that were inserted just proximal and distal to the
proximal and distal poles of the patella. Range-of-motion exercises for the
knee were begun at two weeks and the pins were removed at three to four
weeks. All of the fractures healed. Twenty-four patients regained a range
of motion that was equal to that of the opposite knee. There was no
evidence of chronic osteomyelitis. Osteoarthritis was noted in one patient
who refused excision of a portion of the patella.