A comparative study of tension band wire and circumferential wiring for patellar fractures

Aim: To compare tension band wire and circumferential wiring for patellar fractures. Materials & Methods: One hundred twenty adult patients in age ranged 18- 50 years of either gender was randomly divided into groups viz. group 1 treated with tension band wire and group 2 with circumferential wiring for patellar fractures. Reich and Rosenberg scale, rage of motion and complications were recorded in both groups and compared. Results: At 4 weeks in group 1 and group 2, restriction of last 10 0 − 20 0 was seen in 24 and 27, restriction of 20 0 − 50 0 was seen in 14 and 13, restriction > 50 0 was observed in 22 and 20. At 8 weeks, no restriction was seen in 8 and 9, restriction of last 10 0 − 20 0 was seen in 38 and 39, restriction of 20 0 − 50 0 was seen in 10 and 9, restriction >500 was seen in 4 and 3. At 12 weeks, no restriction was seen in 15 and 20, restriction of last 10 0 − 20 0 was seen in 35 and 32, restriction of 20 0 − 50 0 was seen in 8 and 7 and restriction > 50 0 was seen in 2 and 1 in group 1 and 2 patients respectively. A significant difference was observed (P< 0.05). Conclusion: Both techniques for the management of patellar fractures were equally effective in achieving functional outcome.