Peri-prosthetic trans-patellar fractures after Total knee Arthroplasty: a case series and review of literature

Abstract

Peri-prosthetic patella fracture is the second most common peri-prosthetic fracture after total knee arthroplasty. This report presented the treatment results in 6 patients with peri-prosthetic patella fractures. From January 2015 to February 2019, six patients with peri-prosthetic patella fractures were treated. The mean age at surgery was 64 years (range, 48–72 years). Four patients with displaced fractures were treated surgically, and two patients with non-displaced fractures were treated non-surgically. Outcomes were assessed in terms of motion, functional knee score, and Knee Society score. The mean follow-up period lasted 16 months (range: 12–20 months). The average arc of motion was 110° (range: 80°–130°). The mean functional knee score was 77 (range: 70–87). The mean Knee Society score was 84 (range: 75–89). The non-surgical treatment may be a good choice for non-displaced peri-prosthetic patella fractures. For displaced fractures, surgical treatments yielded good functional outcomes.