Comparison of Functional Results and Complications Between K-Wire Tension Band Fixation and Interosseous Suturing in Transverse Patellar Fractures: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Comparison of Functional Results and Complications Between K-Wire Tension Band Fixation and Interosseous Suturing in Transverse Patellar Fractures: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
A transverse patellar fracture is a break across the kneecap that can affect knee movement, walking, and daily activities. Surgery is often needed to restore the position of the broken bone and allow it to heal.
This study will compare two surgical techniques for treating transverse patellar fractures in adults: K-wire tension band wiring and transosseous suture fixation using No. 5 FiberWire. The purpose is to determine whether the two techniques differ in knee function, fracture healing, and the occurrence of complications.
Eligible adults with an acute, closed transverse patellar fracture will be randomly assigned to one of the two treatment groups. Participants will be followed for 12 months after surgery. Knee function will be assessed using the Bostman score, while other outcomes will include pain, knee range of motion, quadriceps muscle strength, fracture healing, and complications such as infection, hardware irritation, and the need for further surgery.
The findings may help improve understanding of the benefits and limitations of these two surgical techniques and support clinical decision-making for adults with transverse patellar fractures.
Study Overview
Status
Conditions
Intervention / Treatment
Detailed Description
Transverse patellar fractures can disrupt the extensor mechanism of the knee and impair knee function. Surgical treatment aims to restore the anatomical alignment of the patella, provide sufficient stability for fracture healing, and facilitate the recovery of knee movement and quadriceps function.
K-wire tension band wiring is a commonly used fixation technique for patellar fractures. It uses Kirschner wires and a tension band construct to stabilize the fracture. However, complications such as hardware prominence, soft-tissue irritation, infection, and the need for subsequent implant removal may occur.
Transosseous suture fixation is an alternative technique that uses sutures passed through bone tunnels to stabilize the fracture. High-strength sutures, such as No. 5 FiberWire, may provide fixation without leaving prominent metallic implants. Nevertheless, the functional outcomes and complication profiles of this technique compared with conventional K-wire tension band wiring require further evaluation.
This randomized controlled trial will compare these two surgical techniques in adults undergoing operative treatment for acute, closed transverse patellar fractures. The study will assess postoperative knee function and recovery, fracture healing, pain, range of motion, quadriceps muscle strength, and treatment-related complications during follow-up.
The study is intended to provide comparative clinical evidence regarding functional recovery, fracture union, and complications associated with the two fixation methods. The findings may help inform surgical decision-making and contribute to the selection of an appropriate fixation technique for patients with transverse patellar fractures.
Study Type
Enrollment (Actual)
Phase
- Not Applicable
Contacts and Locations
Study Locations
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Cairo Governorate
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Cairo, Cairo Governorate, Egypt, 11252
- Ain Shams University Hospitals (Demerdash Hospital)
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Participation Criteria
Eligibility Criteria
Ages Eligible for Study
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
Genders Eligible for Study
Description
Inclusion Criteria:
- Age ≥ 18 years.
- Acute (less than 2 weeks) closed transverse patellar fracture (AO/OTA 34-C1 or similar).
- Medically fit for surgery and anesthesia.
- Willing and able to provide informed consent and comply with the study follow-up requirements.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Age < 18 years.
- Open patellar fractures.
- Pathological fractures.
- Non-transverse fracture patterns (e.g., polar or stellate fractures).
- Previous ipsilateral knee surgery or significant knee arthritis.
- Associated major lower-limb trauma (e.g., ipsilateral femoral or tibial fracture).
- Neuromuscular disorders affecting the lower limb.
- Severe systemic illness contraindicating surgery.
Study Plan
How is the study designed?
Design Details
- Primary Purpose: Treatment
- Allocation: Randomized
- Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
- Masking: None (Open Label)
Arms and Interventions
Participant Group / Arm |
Intervention / Treatment |
|---|---|
|
Active Comparator: K-wire Tension Band Wiring
K-wire tension band wiring for transverse patellar fracture fixation. |
Surgical fixation of an acute transverse patellar fracture using Kirschner wires (K-wires) and a tension band construct to stabilize the fracture and maintain reduction during bone healing. |
|
Active Comparator: Transosseous Suture Fixation
Transosseous suture fixation using No. 5 FiberWire for transverse patellar fracture fixation. |
Surgical fixation of an acute transverse patellar fracture using transosseous bone tunnels and high-strength No. 5 FiberWire sutures to stabilize the fracture and maintain reduction during bone healing. |
What is the study measuring?
Primary Outcome Measures
Outcome Measure |
Measure Description |
Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
|
Functional Outcome Assessed Using the Böstman Patellar Fracture Score at 12 Months
Time Frame: 12 months after surgery
|
Functional outcome will be assessed using the Böstman Patellar Fracture Score, a validated scoring system for evaluating functional recovery following patellar fractures. The scale ranges from 0 to 30 points, with a minimum score of 0 and a maximum score of 30. Higher scores indicate better functional outcomes, whereas lower scores indicate poorer functional recovery. |
12 months after surgery
|
Secondary Outcome Measures
Outcome Measure |
Measure Description |
Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
|
Pain Severity Assessed Using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS)
Time Frame: 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months after surgery.
|
Pain severity will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), a 10-cm scale ranging from 0 to 10, where 0 indicates no pain and 10 indicates the worst imaginable pain. Higher scores indicate greater pain severity and worse outcomes, whereas lower scores indicate less pain and better outcomes. |
2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months after surgery.
|
|
Knee Range of Motion
Time Frame: 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months after surgery.
|
Knee range of motion will be assessed by measuring active knee flexion and extension using a standard goniometer. Measurements will be recorded in degrees (°). Knee flexion ranges from 0° to 140°, with higher flexion values indicating greater knee mobility and better functional recovery. Knee extension is assessed by measuring the degree of extension deficit, where 0° indicates full extension and higher deficit values indicate worse outcomes. |
2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months after surgery.
|
|
Time to Fracture Union
Time Frame: Up to 12 months after surgery.
|
Time to fracture union will be assessed in weeks from the date of surgery until radiographic evidence of fracture union is achieved. Fracture union will be defined by radiographic evidence of bridging bone across at least three of the four cortices on orthogonal radiographic views, in conjunction with clinical evidence of healing. The minimum value is 0 weeks. Higher values indicate a longer time to fracture union and therefore a worse outcome, whereas lower values indicate faster fracture healing and a better outcome. |
Up to 12 months after surgery.
|
|
Incidence of Postoperative Complications
Time Frame: From the date of surgery through 12 months postoperatively.
|
Postoperative complications will be assessed by recording the occurrence of any complications following surgery, including surgical site infection, wound complications, implant-related complications (such as K-wire migration, wire breakage, or fixation failure), loss of fracture reduction, nonunion, delayed union, symptomatic hardware, and reoperation. The outcome will be recorded as a binary variable: 0 = No postoperative complications and 1 = At least one postoperative complication. The minimum value is 0 and the maximum value is 1. Higher scores indicate the occurrence of postoperative complications and therefore worse outcomes. |
From the date of surgery through 12 months postoperatively.
|
Collaborators and Investigators
Sponsor
Study record dates
Study Major Dates
Study Start (Actual)
Primary Completion (Estimated)
Study Completion (Estimated)
Study Registration Dates
First Submitted
First Submitted That Met QC Criteria
First Posted (Actual)
Study Record Updates
Last Update Posted (Actual)
Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria
Last Verified
More Information
Terms related to this study
Keywords
Additional Relevant MeSH Terms
Other Study ID Numbers
- ASU-PATELLA FRACTURE -RCT-2026
Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)
Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?
IPD Plan Description
Individual participant data (IPD) will not be shared with other researchers. The study data will be used for the purposes of the planned statistical analyses, thesis preparation, and scientific publication. Only aggregate, de-identified results will be reported in publications and presentations. This decision is intended to protect participant confidentiality and privacy.
Drug and device information, study documents
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product
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