Radiographic Predictors of Tension Band Wiring Failure in Patellar Fractures
July 31, 2025
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3 min
10 Key Takeaways
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1
10-year retrospective study of 32 patients with transverse patellar fractures.
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2
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1% failure rate due to wire slippage and breakage.
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4
Median time to failure was 58 days.
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5
Longer K-wire lengths associated with failure.
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6
Single-knot constructs had a 6
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7% failure rate.
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No failures linked to sex, BMI, or height.
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9
Key injury mechanisms included high-energy falls and traffic accidents.
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10
Emphasis on appropriate implant selection in surgeries.
A retrospective study over ten years evaluated the outcomes of 32 patients with transverse patellar fractures treated with tension band wiring (TBW). The study highlighted a 28.1% failure rate, mainly attributed to cerclage wire slippage and wire breakage. Longer Kirschner wire lengths and single-knot constructs were linked to higher failure risks, with significant differences in radiographic parameters. Notably, the most common injury mechanisms were high-energy falls and traffic accidents, with no failures associated with sex or BMI. The research underscores the importance of selecting appropriate implant lengths and configurations in surgical planning.
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