Application of suture bridge technique in the treatment of acute patellar ligament injury

INTRODUCTION: The patellar ligament, as a knee extensor, plays an important role in knee movement. Patellar ligament tear completely divided into acute and chronic, acute general mishandling lead to fracture again, chronic patellar ligament rupture, need surgery to restore again and device, the integrity of the patellar ligament rupture time more than 2 weeks or more, it’s easy to have a different degree of scar healing, a normal tendinous portion elasticity and tension were significantly decreased, eventually leading to knee disorders. If scar tissue is removed by surgery and sutured again, the required strength of the patellar ligament cannot be provided, resulting in long postoperative recovery time, knee joint dysfunction, muscle atrophy, joint degeneration and other problems. HYPOTHESES: To explore the method and clinical effect of suture bridge technique in the treatment of acute patellar ligament injury. METHODS: From January 2016 to October 2018, 13 patients with Acute injury of patellar ligament insertion were treated with suture bridge technique.Among them, there were 11 males and 2 females, aged from 17 to 35 years, with an average age of 26.3 years.The average time from injury to operation was from 3 to 5 days, with an average day of 3.5 days.Thirteen patients all suffered from closed injury at the inferior end of patella. Among them, 8 had no fracture at the inferior end of patella, 5 had bone fragments and none had avulsion at the tibial end.Thirteen patients all suffered from closed injury at the inferior end of patella. Among them, 8 had no fracture at the inferior end of patella, 5 had bone fragments and none had avulsion at the tibial end.Suture bridge technique was used in 13 cases.Postoperative knee function was assessed by Lysholm score RESULTS: All patients were followed up for 7 to 15 months, with an average of 11.2 months.All incisions healed well, and there were no complications such as infection and re-rupture of patellar ligament.At 6-12 weeks after operation, the range of motion of 13 patients reached the level of uninjured side.According to Lysholm scoring criteria, knee joint function was excellent in 9 cases and good in 4 cases CONCLUSION: Suture bridge technique in the treatment of acute patellar ligament injury has the characteristics of firm fixation, fewer complications, quick recovery and avoidance of second operation.