Skyline view of the patella does not increase fracture detection: A non-inferiority diagnostic study.

PURPOSE: Patella fractures are frequent injuries in the adult population. Initial study is made by plain radiographs and the standard set includes the skyline view of patella. Recommendation for use of this projection is variable among the experts, without data that support its performance in the diagnosis of patella fractures. The main purpose of this study was to determine the sensitivity of the antero-posterior and lateral view of the knee, without skyline view, in the diagnosis of patella fracture. METHODS: A retrospective non-inferiority diagnostic study was designed with all the knee trauma adult patients of an Emergency Department in a single center in five years. A random sample of all the consecutive patella fracture cases were taken to elaborate the case group. The control group was matched by sex and age. Two blinded orthopedic surgeons reviewed the cases and control radiographs and defined the presence of fracture, with or without skyline view, with a wash-out time of three weeks between the two evaluations. Non-inferiority was defined a priori at 90% of minimum sensitivity. RESULTS: 140 patients were evaluated (70 cases and 70 controls). Sensitivity of the set without skyline view was 92.86% (CI 95% 0.90 - 0.96) and the standard set was 97.86% (CI 95% 0.96 - 0.99), without significant differences (p = 0.1) CONCLUSION: Sensitivity of the plain radiograph set without skyline view is non-inferior to the standard set. The routine use of skyline view when suspecting patella fractures is questionable.

Osteosynthesis of a patellar fracture with repair of the knee extensor mechanism: Case report.

Patella fractures correspond to 1 % of all fractures. In recent decades, the role of the patella in increasing the lever arm of the quadriceps has been well defined. Surgical treatment is indicated for open fractures, those that compromise the function of the extensor mechanism, those with a joint gap >5 mm and/or joint incongruity >3 mm, a group that corresponds to around 30 % of the total. Anatomical reduction and stabilization with various types of modified tension bands is the most frequently used procedure. Biomechanical studies have shown that stabilization through the use of a tension band replacing the Kirchner wires with cannulated screws presents adequate resistance to fracture displacement and provides greater stability than the classic configuration, maintaining the theoretical principle of converting the forces of anterior tension of the patella generated by the quadriceps in compression at the level of the articular surface. A case of a patient who required reduction and osteosynthesis of an exposed patella fracture, associated with an extensor mechanism lesion, is presented. Clinical and radiographic characteristics of the patient and the resolution of the case are described.

Uso de placa malla en el manejo de fracturas conminutas de patela: reporte de caso / Use of mesh plate for the treatment of comminuted patellar fractures: case report

OBJETIVOS Describir la técnica quirúrgica para el uso de placa malla en un caso de fractura conminuta de patela y sus resultados en el seguimiento a mediano plazo. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS Presentamos un caso de fractura conminuta de patela manejada con el uso de una placa malla y un tornillo canulado asociado, evitando de esta forma la patelectomía parcial y sus posibles complicaciones. RESULTADOS El paciente presentó una evolución satisfactoria, con rango de movimiento de rodilla completo y en condiciones de alta laboral a los cuatro meses desde la cirugía, sin complicaciones ni reintervenciones. DISCUSIÓN El uso de placas malla permite el manejo de fracturas conminutas de patela preservando stock óseo y restaurando la indemnidad del aparato extensor, con una osteosíntesis estable y poco prominente. Casos en que antiguamente la única alternativa era la patelectomía parcial y reinserción del tendón patelar ahora tienen etas placas como opción de manejo. CONCLUSIÓN El uso de placas malla en fracturas conminutas de patela es una alternativa atractiva por la estabilidad que brindan, la capacidad de reservar stock óseo, y la baja tasa de reintervenciones

OBJETIVE To describe the surgical technique for the use of a mesh plate in a case of comminuted patellar fracture and the mid-term follow up outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS We present a case of comminuted patella fracture managed with the use of a mesh plate and an associated cannulated screw, thus avoiding partial patellectomy and its possible complications. RESULTS Four months postoperatively, the patient presented full knee range of motion and could be discharged to return to work, with no complications or reinterventions. DISCUSSION The use of mesh plates enables the management of comminuted patellar fractures preserving bone stock and restoring the extensor mechanism with a stable and little prominent osteosynthesis. Cases which previously would only have been treated by partial patellectomy and patellar tendon reinsertion can be treated with these plates. CONCLUSION The use of mesh plates for comminuted patellar fractures is an attractive option due to their stability, their ability to preserve bone stock, and the low rates of reintervention.

Manejo de fracturas conminutas del polo distal de la patela con asas verticales de alambre: reporte de casos / Management of comminuted fractures of the distal pole of the patela with vertical wire loops: case report

INTRODUCCIÓN Las fracturas conminutas del polo distal de la patela representan un desafío para el cirujano de rodilla, pues no existe un tratamiento estándar que permita una rehabilitación acelerada. Recientemente se han descrito la osteosíntesis y la reinserción del polo distal utilizando asas de alambre verticales. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS Presentamos dos casos de fractura conminuta del polo distal de la patela resueltos con asas de alambre verticales y modificaciones de esta técnica. RESULTADOS Se realizó osteosíntesis del polo distal de la patela, y se logró una reducción radiográfica satisfactoria, lo que permitió una rehabilitación acelerada, con un rango de movilidad progresivo a tolerancia desde el día siguiente tras la cirugía. Los pacientes lograron recuperar el rango de movimiento completo a los dos y tres meses de operados, evolucionaron satisfactoriamente, sin complicaciones relacionadas a esta técnica y sus variaciones, y recibieron el alta médica tras cuatro meses de la reducción y osteosíntesis. DISCUSIÓN Las técnicas tradicionales para el manejo de fracturas del polo distal implican consideraciones especiales en la rehabilitación y complicaciones asociadas. Se utilizó la técnica de asas de alambres verticales en dos pacientes: en uno de ellos, el procedimiento fue complementado con sutura tipo Krackow; y, en el otro, con una placa para minifragmentos, lo que permitió una rehabilitación acelerada y retorno precoz a sus actividades laborales. CONCLUSIÓN El uso de asas de alambre vertical aparece como una técnica segura, que permite una rehabilitación acelerada y un reintegro laboral precoz.

INTRODUCTION Comminuted fractures of the distal pole of the patella represent a challenge for the knee surgeon, as there is no standard treatment that enables accelerated rehabilitation. Osteosynthesis and reattachment of the distal pole using vertical wire loops has recently been described. MATERIALS AND METHODS We herein present two cases of omminuted fracture of the distal pole of the patella resolved with vertical wire loops and modifications of this technique. RESULTS Osteosynthesis of the distal pole of the patella was performed, achieving a satisfactory radiographic reduction and enabling accelerated rehabilitation, with a progressive range of motion the day after the surgery. The patients achieved full range of motion two and three months after surgery. They progressed satisfactorily, without complications related to this technique and its variations, and were discharged four months after the reduction and osteosynthesis. DISCUSSION The traditional techniques for the management of distal pole fractures involve special considerations regarding rehabilitation and associated complications. The vertical wire loop technique was used in two patients: in one of them, it was supplemented with a Krackow suture; and, in the other, with a mini-fragment plate, which enabled accelerated rehabilitation and early return to work. CONCLUSION The use of vertical wire loops appears to be a safe technique, which enables accelerated rehabilitation and early return to work.

Tratamiento de la fractura conminuta de patela: ¿existen diferencias entre realizar o no una eversión? / Treatment of comminuted patellar fracture: are there differences between performing or not performing an eversion?

OBJETIVO Comparar los resultados clínicos, funcionales e imagenológicos de dos técnicas quirúrgicas para el manejo de fracturas conminutas de patela: con y sin eversión patelar. MÉTODOS En una serie de casos retrospectivos de fracturas conminutas de patela tratadas en el mismo centro entre 2014 y 2017, con un seguimiento ≥ 3 meses, se hizo una comparación entre el grupo con eversión y el grupo sin eversión. Los criterios de exclusión fueron patelectomía parcial o total, reinserción tendínea, o rehabilitación incompleta. Las variables analizadas fueron edad, sexo, tabaquismo, diabetes mellitus, energía del accidente, tipo de fractura, variables quirúrgicas (banda de tensión, tornillos, alambres, nudos, cerclaje circular), rango de movimiento (RDM) articular postoperatorio, presencia de osteosíntesis sintomática, puntaje de escalas funcionales (de Tegner-Lysholm y de Kujala) al alta definitiva, complicaciones (rigidez articular, infección, trombosis venosa profunda), y variables imagenológicos con tomografías computarizadas pre- y postoperatorias (brecha, desnivel articular > 2 mm, elementos de fijación intraarticular). RESULTADOS En total, 20 de 22 pacientes, 13 con eversión y 7 sin eversión, cumplieron con los criterios de selección. El seguimiento fue de 3 a 12 meses, y no hubo diferencias estadísticamente significativas respecto a las variables demográficas entre ambos grupos, lo cual los hace comparables. Destacaron el tiempo desde el ingreso al alta, con 7 meses para los pacientes con eversión y 5 meses para los sin eversión (p = 0.032), la proporción de pacientes con desnivel articular > 2 mm, con 7.7% para los con eversión y 14.3% para los sin eversión (p = 0.016), y una tendencia a resultados superiores en escalas funcionales para el grupo con eversión. CONCLUSIÓN El tratamiento de fracturas conminutas de patela con eversión parece ser una alternativa viable dados sus resultados imagenológicos y funcionales superiores a los de la técnica habitual.

PURPOSE To compare the clinical, functional and imaging outcomes of two surgical techniques for the treatment of comminuted patellar fractures: with and without eversion. METHODS In a retrospective series of cases of comminuted patellar fractures treated at a single center between 2014 and 2017, with a follow-up 3 months , we performed a comparison between the eversion group and the non-eversion group. The exclusion criteria were partial or total patellectomy, tendon reinsertion, or incomplete rehabilitation. The variables analyzed were age, gender, smoking, diabetes mellitus, the energy of the accident, the fracture type, surgical variables (tension band, screws, wires, knots, circular cerclage), postoperative joint range of motion (ROM), presence of symptomatic osteosynthesis, the scores on the functional scales (of Tegner-Lysholm and of Kujala) at the final discharge, complications (joint stiffness, infection, deep vein thrombosis), and pre- and postoperative computed tomography imaging variables (gap, step-off > 2mm, intra-articular fixation elements). RESULTS In total, 20 out of 22 patients, 13 undegoing eversion and 7 not undergoing eversion, met the selection criteria.. The follow-up ranged from 3 to 12 months, and there were no statistically significant differences regarding the demographic variables between both groups, which makes them comparable. The most remarkable results were the time from admission to final discharge, of 7 months for the patients in the eversion group, and of 5 months for those in the non-eversion group (p » 0.032), the proportion of patients with a step-off > 2 mm, with 7.7% for the eversion group and 14.3% for the non-eversion group (p » 0.016), and a tendency towards higher scores in the functional scales for the eversion group. CONCLUSION The treatment of comminuted patellar fractures with eversion seems to be a viable alternative, given its superior imaging and functional results compared to those of the usual technique.

Treatment of pelvic fractures in cats with patellar fracture and dental anomaly syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to describe the treatment and outcome of acetabular and other pelvic fractures in cats with patellar fracture and dental anomaly syndrome (PADS) and to provide advice on how to manage these cases in practice. METHODS: Data were collated on cats with PADS that were reported to have sustained pelvic fractures or had fractures or fissures of the pelvis identified on submitted radiographs. The details of the fractures were recorded, in addition to any treatment and outcome information. RESULTS: Of the 215 cases reported with PADS, 58 cats (27%) were found to have pelvic fractures, none of which were known to have resulted from significant trauma. There were 101 fractures in total and of these 15 were treated with surgery, including 10 acetabular fractures, two ilial, two pubic and one ischial fracture. Screw loosening and loss of fracture reduction was seen in four of the surgically treated fractures (two pubic fractures, one ilial and one acetabular fracture). Fourteen cats were euthanased as a direct result of a fracture occurring. While most pelvic fractures healed uneventfully, some cats remained intermittently lame, but it was not always possible to determine the cause of the lameness from the information available and because all cats had concurrent patellar fractures. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Many of the pelvic fractures healed with conservative management. Fractures involving articular surfaces such as acetabular fractures may benefit from surgical stabilisation as surgery may offer the benefits of articular fracture repair with improved joint congruency and a faster return to normal activity.

Incidence and types of preceding and subsequent fractures in cats with patellar fracture and dental anomaly syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to document the incidence of preceding and subsequent fractures to the patellar fractures in cats with patellar fractures and dental anomaly syndrome. METHODS: Records of cats with patellar fracture and dental anomaly syndrome were retrieved from the combined databases at the University of Bristol, UK, and Exclusively Cats Veterinary Hospital, USA. A request was made to complete a questionnaire to obtain long-term follow-up of these cats with respect to their current status and fractures to other bones; radiographs and histories were requested and were reviewed for treatment of ongoing fractures and outcome. RESULTS: Of the 191 cases reported with this syndrome, 92 cats (48.2%) had dental anomalies and 78 (40.8%) had fractures to other bones; 21 cats sustained the fractures preceding the patellar fractures and 57 subsequently. In total, there were 175 fractures: acetabulum (25%), tibia (22%), ischium (15.4%), humeral condyle (13.7%), calcaneus (5.1%), ilium (5.1%), pubis (3.4%) and other bones (10.2%). The majority of these fractures were characteristic of insufficiency (stress) fractures with a very similar configuration in each bone. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: A high proportion of cats with patellar fracture and dental anomaly syndrome will have preceding or subsequent fractures to their patellar fractures. In this study, >10% of cats suffered characteristic fractures preceding the patellar fractures. The presence of these fractures should alert the veterinarian to the possibility that the cat is affected by patellar fracture and dental anomaly syndrome.