Comparison of Functional Results After Surgical Treatment of Acute Patella Fractures Using a Tension Band With and Without Plaster Cast Application

INTRODUCTION: To compare the functional results obtained after treating the study groups comprising patients with patellar fractures who underwent modified anterior tension band (MATB) surgery with or without plaster cast application.
METHODS: Fractures with >3-mm displacement between the fracture fragments and a step-off of >2 mm on the joint surface were surgically treated. Patients with patellar fractures who underwent MATB and were followed for at least 1 year were included in the study. The need for plaster cast application after surgery was decided based on the surgeon's preference. Of the 42 patients who did not receive plaster cast treatment (group 1), 28 were male and 14 were female, whereas of the 48 patients who received plaster cast treatment (group 2), 31 were male and 17 were female. Functional results were evaluated according to the Lysholm and Bostman scores.
RESULTS: In group 1, the mean Lysholm score was 89.31±9.44, and the mean Bostman score was 25.83±3.81; in group 2, the mean Lysholm score was 90.67±9.2, and the mean Bostman score was 26.9±4.17. When Lysholm and Bostman scores were compared, the difference was not statistically significant (p>0.05). Bone union was achieved in all patients, and no statistically significant differences were found between the groups in terms of the incidence of complications (p>0.05).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: We found that plaster cast application after MATB had no effect on functional results.

Keywords: Fractue, patella, plaster cast, treatmant.