Kneecap Fractures (Patella Fractures): Fixation With Screws and Braided Suture Animation

Kneecap Fractures (Patella Fractures): Fixation With Screws and Braided Suture Animation

This animation demonstrates fixation of a kneecap fracture with screws and braided suture. Here, we see a right knee with a large transverse, or horizontal, fracture through the patella, or kneecap. The broken bone pieces are first repositioned back together with surgical clamps.

Guidewires are then inserted into the broken bone pieces from the bottom of the kneecap to temporarily hold the pieces in place. A reamer is inserted over each wire to drill tunnels through the kneecap. The wire is removed and the depth of the tunnel is measured. The guidewire is then reinserted and the appropriate size screws are placed over the wires to compress the broken bone pieces together. The wires are then removed.

Flat braided suture is then passed through the center of 1 of the screws, crossed over the front of the kneecap, and passed through the center of the other screw. The suture is then crossed over the front of the kneecap once more, and the free suture ends are tied together. The ends of the suture will be cut off and the procedure is now complete.