Progressive migration of broken Kirschner wire into the proximal tibia following tension-band wiring technique of a patellar fracture--case report

Bull NYU Hosp Jt Dis. 2012;70(4):279-82.

Abstract

Wire breakage and migration is a known complication of using a wire tension band construct to treat displaced patella fractures. We report a case of a broken K-wire that migrated from the patella completely into the proximal tibia without complication 9 years after the index surgery. This report highlights the fact that wire migration can occur long after fracture healing and be relatively asymptomatic. But because the complications of wire migration can be deadly, it requires diligence on the part of the physician to educate the patient that new knee pain after operative fixation requires formal evaluation by the treating surgeon.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Bone Wires / adverse effects*
  • Foreign-Body Migration / diagnostic imaging
  • Foreign-Body Migration / etiology*
  • Fracture Fixation, Internal / adverse effects*
  • Fracture Fixation, Internal / instrumentation*
  • Fractures, Bone / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Patella / injuries*
  • Patella / surgery*
  • Prosthesis Design
  • Prosthesis Failure*
  • Radiography
  • Tibia* / diagnostic imaging
  • Time Factors