A Review of a New Technique for Comminuted Inferior Pole Patellar Fracture—Modified Non-Metallic Separate Vertical Wiring (NM-SVW)

Inferior pole patellar fractures present surgical challenges due to comminution and small fragment size. Conventional methods, such as transosseous suturing and separate vertical wiring (SVW), are associated with fixation failure and implant-related complications. This study introduces a modified non-metallic SVW (NM-SVW) technique using high-tensile polyethylene sutures (FiberWire ® and FiberTape ® ) with cerclage augmentation to enhance stability and reduce implant-related issues. A retrospective case series of seven patients (mean age 70.8 years) treated between April and August 2024 was analyzed. Surgical outcomes, including radiographic union, clinical function, and complications, were assessed. All fractures achieved union within 11.1 weeks on average. At 6 months, the mean Böstman score was 28.6, indicating excellent knee function. No fixation failures or implant-related complications were observed. The NM-SVW technique provides a safe and effective alternative for comminuted inferior pole patellar fractures, offering strong fixation while minimizing hardware-related issues. Further studies with larger cohorts and longer follow-ups are needed to confirm these findings.