Vertical and figure of eight fibre wiring for patella fractures

Background: Displaced patella fractures need to be treated by internal fixation for achieving good outcome. Metallic hardware related pain and irritation are one among the many reasons for reoperations. Fracture displacement can happen due to early mobilisation depending on bone quality and fracture pattern. The aim of our study was to evaluate the postoperative outcome and complication rates of patella fractures fixed with fibre wires in a vertical and figure of eight pattern. Methods: We retrospectively followed up all patella fractures fixed using fibre wires utilising Krackow stitches through patellar tendon, longitudinal fixation through fracture fragments and figure of eight wiring on anterior patella. We evaluated their clinical outcome, range of movement, time to union and complication rates. We also evaluated these for arthritic scenario and different fracture patterns. Results: We had 22 patients (mean age 50.7) with a mean follow up of 22.7 months, mean Bostman score of 23.5, mean range of movement 1150 and mean time to union 13.5 weeks. Arthritic patients though united without any complications had an unsatisfactory score. None of the patients developed any hardware related complications, fracture displacement or needed an implant removal. Conclusion: Fibre wires can be used in vertical and figure of pattern for achieving fracture union with good clinical outcome without fracture displacement or symptomatic hardware problems.