The treatment of patellar fractures after total knee arthroplasty.

Based on 21 patellar fractures after total knee arthroplasty, the authors found that nondisplaced fractures of the patella following total knee arthroplasty are best treated nonoperatively, that displaced fractures with no extensor lag can adequately be treated nonoperatively, and that displaced fractures with an extensor lag present have poor results with operative treatment. Fragment excision should be considered for displaced distal pole fractures with patellar tendon disruption, and patellectomy should be considered for failures of all other treatments.