Urgent Case: Taiwanese Patient with Patellar Fracture Successfully Treated at Shanghai Fourth People's Hospital Using Innovative Absorbable Tension Band Technique—No Secondary Surgery Required

(Source: Shanghai Observation News)

No Metal Implants Needed for Patellar Fracture, No Secondary Surgery Required, Rehabilitation Can Begin the Day After Surgery. Recently, the orthopedic trauma team at Shanghai Fourth People's Hospital, affiliated with Tongji University, successfully performed a patellar fracture surgery on a Taiwanese patient urgently needing to return to Taiwan for a conference. Utilizing an innovative and absorbable tension band fixation technique developed over two decades, the patient recovered far faster than traditional treatment methods, allowing for a smooth rehabilitation and return trip. This mature minimally invasive treatment plan also spares a wide range of fracture patients from the pain and burden of secondary surgery.

On April 11, Ms. Li, a Taiwanese compatriot, accidentally fell and immediately experienced severe pain in her right knee along with restricted movement. After visiting the hospital for examination, she was diagnosed with a fracture of the right patella and significant separation of the fractured fragments. Due to her tight schedule, Ms. Li must return to Taiwan two weeks later to attend an important meeting. Rapid recovery and normal mobility have become her core concerns in seeking medical treatment.

Postoperative Rehabilitation of Ms. Li

Initially, Ms. Li learned that the traditional standard surgical procedure for treating patellar fractures in clinical practice involves the use of Kirschner wires combined with titanium cables in a metal tension band fixation. While this classic technique provides stable fixation and is suitable for most fracture patients, it has unavoidable drawbacks. The traditional metal internal fixation materials continuously irritate the soft tissues around the knee joint, leading to issues such as loosening of the fixation devices and joint pain during postoperative rehabilitation exercises. Additionally, the metal fixation devices must be surgically removed about one year after the initial surgery. Upon learning about the need for a second surgery, Ms. Li, who was eager to recover and return to her routine, became deeply concerned and was unable to confirm a treatment plan.

In response to Ms. Li's specific needs and anxiety, Professor Chen Aimin, Director of the Department of Orthopedic Trauma at Shanghai Fourth People's Hospital, and his team carefully evaluated her fracture classification, physical condition, and rehabilitation goals. Drawing on over two decades of clinical experience with bioabsorbable internal fixation technology, they customized a treatment plan for her using Arthrex tension band fixation with absorbable rods combined with an Arthrex compression band.

Patellar Recovery Status of the Patient

It is reported that this innovative technology perfectly meets Ms. Li's needs for rapid recovery and no secondary surgery, balancing fracture fixation stability with postoperative rehabilitation efficiency.

On April 15, under the full guidance of Professor Chen Aimin, the deputy chief physician Li Yongchuan as the surgeon, and deputy chief physician Zhou Youliang assisting, the team completed the minimally invasive surgery with precision and efficiency. The entire surgical procedure was meticulous with minimal trauma, successfully achieving anatomical reduction and stable fixation of the fracture site.

Thanks to the advantages of new technology, Ms. Li's rehabilitation process has been very ideal. On the first day after the surgery, she was able to walk on the ground independently with the help of crutches; just two weeks after the surgery, her knee joint flexion angle recovered to 90 degrees, allowing her to move normally. The review X-ray results showed that her fracture reduction position was precise, and the fixation state was stable, without any abnormalities such as displacement or loosening. The excellent rehabilitation outcome made Ms. Li very satisfied, and she returned to Taiwan smoothly as scheduled after the surgery.

It is understood that patellar fractures are extremely common orthopedic injuries in daily life, with the main causes being falls, bumps, sports injuries, and accidents. These fractures frequently occur among ordinary citizens and athletic populations. For a long time, metal tension band fixation has been the mainstream method for treating patellar fractures. However, postoperative complications, long recovery periods, and the need for secondary surgery have consistently impacted patients' quality of life. Metallic internal fixation devices not only easily cause recurrent knee pain and soft tissue inflammation but may also lead to issues such as wire breakage, displacement, and metal allergies. In severe cases, these complications can delay joint function recovery and leave behind sequelae such as joint stiffness and muscle atrophy.

Professor Chen Aimin is the core technology leader of the trauma orthopedics department at Shanghai Fourth People's Hospital. He has led his team in the field of minimally invasive fracture repair for many years, keeping up with the forefront of international orthopedic diagnosis and treatment. He has deep expertise in the research, development, and clinical application of absorbable internal fixation technology.

As early as 2000, the team was the first to break through the limitations of traditional technology, innovatively adopting absorbable materials combined with sutures for the treatment of patellar fractures. The relevant research findings were successfully published in an authoritative international orthopedic journal, gaining widespread recognition and reference from orthopedic peers both in China and internationally.

After more than two decades of clinical refinement and technological iteration, the team has continuously optimized surgical protocols and fixation methods, culminating in the advanced Arthrex Absorbable Tension Band Technology. This technique completely eliminates traditional metal fixation materials, replacing steel pins and titanium cables with medical-grade absorbable rods and absorbable compression straps to create a stable, fully absorbable fixation system. To date, the hospital has successfully treated seven patients with patellar fractures using this technology. All patients achieved rapid recovery without any complications, demonstrating highly stable clinical outcomes.

As an important regional trauma treatment center, the Department of Orthopedic Trauma at Shanghai Fourth People's Hospital has long focused on the precise diagnosis and treatment of complex conditions such as limb fractures, periarticular fractures, and complex pelvic injuries. The department consistently emphasizes both technological innovation and clinical services, continuously adopting advanced orthopedic diagnostic concepts and minimally invasive techniques to eliminate the drawbacks of traditional treatments, promoting individualized, refined, and minimally invasive treatment plans. In the future, the hospital’s Department of Orthopedic Trauma will continue to deepen its expertise in the field of minimally invasive orthopedics, further optimize proven innovative technologies, expand their application, and enable more fracture patients to avoid the limitations of traditional surgery.

Experts finally reminded: If symptoms such as swelling, pain, and restricted movement occur after a knee joint injury, it is necessary to promptly visit the orthopedic department of a正规 hospital to avoid delaying treatment, which may lead to joint sequelae. The treatment plan for fractures must be formulated by professional physicians after a comprehensive evaluation that considers the type of fracture, individual physical condition, and rehabilitation needs; do not blindly choose a treatment method.

Original Title: "Urgent! Taiwanese Compatriot with Patella Fracture Needs to Return to Taiwan for a Conference, Shanghai Fourth Hospital's Innovative Technology Efficiently Cures Without Need for Secondary Surgery"

Source: Author: Jiefang Daily, Gu Yong; Correspondents: Chen Xiaqiong, Xiao Xin