Ring-Pins combined with cable cerclage for the fixation of displaced inferior patellar pole fractures

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to present the clinical results and complication rates of ring-pins with cable cerclage for treating the inferior pole of patella fracture. METHOD: A study that retrospectively reviewed consecutive patients of the displaced inferior pole of patella fracture (AO/OTA 34-A1) operated with a ring-pin tension band using cable cerclage between October 2015 and October 2017 was performed. The duration of surgery, motion range of the knee, function outcomes, and complications were recorded. RESULTS: The average follow-up of 31 patients was 21 months. The mean operation time was 50 min. Fractures in all 31 patients healed at a mean duration of 8 weeks. There was no infection, no withdrawing of ring-pins, no implant breakage, and no loss of fracture reduction. The mean range of motion was 120°, and no patient complained of implant irritation at the final follow-up. The average Bostman score was 29.0 points, and 28 patients graded clinical outcomes excellent and 3 patients graded clinical outcomes good at the last follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Ring-pin combined with cable cerclage for treating the displaced inferior pole of patellar fracture is simple, and the postoperative internal fixation-related complication rate is low. It is a good choice for treating the displaced inferior pole of the patellar fracture.