Functional Outcomes of Cannulated Cancellous Screws with Tension Band Wiring in Transverse Patella Fractures: A Prospective Study

Abstract

Background: Transverse patella fractures pose a significant challenge in orthopedic surgery due to their impact on knee function. The combination of cannulated cancellous screws (CCS) and tension band wiring (TBW) is a commonly used fixation technique. However, there is a need for further evaluation of its functional outcomes in specific patient populations.

Methods-This prospective observational study was conducted in a tertiary hospital in Chengalpattu, involving 30 patients with transverse patella fractures treated using CCS with TBW. Patients were followed for six months postoperatively. Functional outcomes were assessed using the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain, and range of motion (ROM) measurements.

Results-Significant improvements were observed in KOOS scores postoperatively, with 85% of patients achieving near-normal knee function by six months. The mean VAS pain scores decreased from 7.8 preoperatively to 1.9 at six months. Radiographic assessments confirmed fracture healing in 90% of patients by three months. Complications such as hardware irritation (10%) and mild stiffness (6.6%) were noted but managed conservatively.

Conclusion-The CCS with TBW technique provides stable fixation, allows early mobilization, and leads to favorable functional outcomes in transverse patella fractures. Further multicenter studies with larger cohorts are recommended to validate these findings.