OUTCOME OF PERCUTANEOUS CANNULATED SCREW FIXATION IN PATELLAR FRACTURES

Abstract

Purpose: To assess the outcome of percutaneous cannulated screw fixation in transverse patellar fractures
Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study conducted in the Department of Orthopaedics at our institute from August 2017 & July 2018 that analysed 12 patients (7 males & 5 females) with transverse patella fracture operated between by the minimally invasive technique of 2 percutaneous cannulated screws. The average follow-up period was 9 months (12-14 months). The average age was 49 years (38-69 years). The cause of the fracture was noted in all cases. We analysed the radiologic union, knee ROM and postoperative Lysholm score.

Results: There were no reports of broken screw or non-union in any patient. Normal range of motion upto 120° of flexion was achieved in 11 knees (91.66%). One patient recovered upto 90° of knee flexion due to non-compliance to physiotherapy. There were no cases of stiffness. The Average Lysholm score was 93.7 (85-100 points) at final follow-up. This implied minimal loss of function for the patients post-operatively. There were no reports of wound complication and cosmetically healing was perfectly acceptable to the patient. There were no incidence of infection in our patients. All fractures healed uneventfully. Normal range of motion was achieved in 11 knees (92.9%). Average Lysholm score was 95.9 at final follow-up.
Conclusion: Screw fixation seemed to be useful for treatment of transverse patellar fracture except in comminuted fractures. The advantage of this technique was the preservation of extensor mechanism, simplicity, short operation time and good cosmesis.