Fractures of the patella after total knee replacement.

Pateller fractures in association with total knee replacement are uncommon, but potentially a cause of an unsatisfactory clinical outcome. Patient, implant, and technical factors are important predisposing causes of these patellar fractures. Prevention is the best treatment. Important outcome criteria include the integrity of the extensor mechanism, patellar implant fixation, and anatomic location. Patients requiring operative intervention often have an unsatisfactory outcome.