Severe iatrogenic knee arthrosis caused by a delayed intra-articular migration of a broken k-wire. A potential destroying complication of patella tension band wiring

Abstract

Citation: Carbone S, Arceri V, Canero G, Gumina S. Severe iatrogenic knee arthrosis caused by a delayed intraarticular migration of a broken k-wire. A potential destroying complication of patella tension band wiring. J Minim Invasive Orthop, 2014, 1(5): e5. doi:10.15383/jmio.5. Competing interests:The authors have declared that no competing interests exist. Abstract: Patella fractures are relatively common injuries. Tension band wiring is often used to treat displaced patella fracture. Wire breakage and migration is a well-known complication of using a wire tension band construct. Conflict of interest: NoneWe report a case of intra-articular migration of a broken k-wire used for patella tension band wiring two years after fixation and noted six months after the last radiological examination. The broken wire was removed arthroscopically and remaining hardware via three mini-incision of the skin. The knee joint developed severe iatrogenic arthrosis. We would like to show that broken hardware can migrate also into the joint and that it can rapidly cause severe knee arthrosis, a detrimental complication rarely described in literature. Implant removal at fracture healing or close clinical and radiological examination after internal fixation are mandatory to avoid such complication.