Percutaneous Tension Band Wiring

Instead of completely exposing the patella surgically, fractured patella with mildly displaced or undisplaced fragments and intact retinacular fibers may be treated by applying a figure of 8 tension band wire loop across the front of the patella percutaneously. An 0.8-mm wire is placed via an 18-gauge long injection needle in a crossed pattern, immobilizing the fracture, whether transverse or oblique. In five cases thus treated results have been excellent.