Compression screws and buttress plate versus compression screws only for Hoffa fracture in Chinese patients: a comparative study

OBJECTIVE: To compare compression screws and buttress plate (CS plus BP) with compression screws only (CS) in treating patients with Hoffa fracture. METHODS: This retrospective study included Chinese patients with Hoffa fracture treated by open reduction and internal fixation. Radiographs and clinical outcomes (range of movement [ROM], bone union and Knee Society Score [KSS]) were compared between patients treated using CS plus BP versus CS only. RESULTS: At 4 months following surgery, significantly better outcomes were shown in the CS plus BP group (n = 24) versus CS only group (n = 21) regarding ROM (120.4 ± 5.2° versus 110 ± 7.1°) and KSS (85.5 ± 4.1 versus 79.7 ± 3.3). At the 12-month follow-up, significantly better outcomes were maintained in the CS plus BP versus CS only group regarding ROM (126.2 ± 7.4° versus 120.5 ± 8.2°) and KSS (88.3 ± 4.6 versus 84.2 ± 4.0). At the final follow-up, all patients had normal fracture healing and no malunion, nonunion or reduction loss. CONCLUSIONS: Fixation with CS plus BP for Hoffa fracture is effective and reliable, and may provide more adequate stability and better outcomes versus CS only.