Team Members
Problem StatementÂ
Patellar fractures account for 1% of all skeletal fractures, typically occurring from a large blow to the knee, resulting in a comminuted fracture pattern, or during hyperflexion of the knee, leading to a transverse pattern. The patella encounters large tensile and compressive forces and serves an important role in walking biomechanics. Patellar fracture repair surgeries have high hardware removal and failure rates and have limited treatment options. The limited tissue and superficial location of the patella, in addition to the large biomechanical load, pose many challenges for successfully reducing a fracture. These challenges lead to patient discomfort and hardware migration, resulting in the need for revision and retrieval surgeries. It has been indicated that around 22% of open reduction internal fixation procedures for patellar fractures present with hardware failure within the first six weeks postoperatively.
Biodesign Statement
A fixation method for transverse patellar fractures that eliminates the use of K-wires and minimizes material on the anterior surface of the patella to enhance patient outcomes.