Functional Outcomes and Complications Following Patellar Fractures: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Patellar fractures represent an important traumatic pathology of the knee, with a significant impact on the extensor mechanism and joint functionality. This retrospective study evaluated the epidemiological, clinical, and therapeutic characteristics of a group of 187 patients diagnosed and treated for patellar fractures within an orthopedic and traumatology department. The analysis included the distribution by sex and age groups, traumatic mechanisms, fracture morphology, therapeutic methods applied, and post‐traumatic and postoperative complications. Among the 187 patients, females predominated (132/187, 70.6%). Road traffic accidents (70 cases, 37.4%) and domestic accidents (57 cases, 30.5%) were the most common mechanisms of injury. Transverse/vertical fractures (64 cases, 34.2%) and comminuted fractures (45 cases, 24.1%) represented the most frequent fracture patterns. Surgical treatment was mainly indicated for displaced and multifragmentary fractures, with cerclage fixation performed in 64 patients (34.2%) and tension‐band wiring in 43 patients (23.0%). Conservative treatment with femorotibial plaster immobilization was applied in 48 patients (25.7%). Clinical outcomes demonstrated the importance of anatomical reduction and early functional rehabilitation in preventing complications such as anterior knee pain, joint stiffness, and post‐traumatic osteoarthritis. The study conclusions support the need for individualized therapeutic management based on fracture characteristics and restoration of the biomechanics of the extensor mechanism, in order to optimize functional recovery and reduce long‐term complications.
Keywords: Patellar fracture; orthopedic traumatology; surgical treatment; osteosynthesis; functional rehabilitation; post‐traumatic complications; knee biomechanics