Treatment Outcome of Patellar Fractures Across Two Tertiary Centers: A Five-Year Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND

Fractures of the patella, though not so common, are prone to complications. Injuries to the patella often disrupts the extensor mechanism of the knee and increases the likelihood of patella-femoral joint incongruence. The aim of this study was to determine the outcome of treatment of patella fracture in two tertiary health institutions in South-south Nigeria.

METHODOLOGY: A retrospective descriptive study was conducted among patients who had patella fractures over a five-year period, using hospital records. The data obtained were analyzed and formed into tables, charts and figures.

RESULTS

Thirty-nine patients were recruited into the study. Patella fractures were most predominant in the age bracket 31-40 years (30.8%), while the least was noted in the age group 61-70 years (5.1%). Road traffic accidents were the most common etiological factor (53.8%). Majority of the patients had transverse fractures (61.5%), while severely committed fractures constituted the least (2.6%). Four patients (10.3%) had open fractures. Majority of the patients had surgical treatment with tension band wiring (25 patients). The outcomes were good within the period of follow-up.

CONCLUSION

The result showed that patella fractures are common in young population. Patients receive optimum care with good outcome in the two centers involved in this study.