The long-term effect on the tibiofemoral compartment of the knee joint of comminuted fractures of the patella.

We have studied the long-term effect of comminuted fractures of the patella with particular reference to the development of degenerative changes in the tibiofemoral joint. Degenerative changes which could convincingly be ascribed to the original injury were found in only one case, but we stress that the numbers are small, and that carefull search sould be made at operation for damage to the femoral condyles.