Stress Avulsion Fracture of the Patellar Tendon Following Open Reduction and Internal Fixation of a Transverse Patella Fracture With Cannulated Screws

A stress-avulsion fracture of the inferior pole of the patella is rare. We report a case of a 65-year-old woman who underwent open reduction and internal fixation for a transverse fracture of the patella using cannulated screws inserted from the inferior pole of the patella. Subsequently, the patient developed an avulsion fracture of the inferior pole of the patella due to a stress riser from the prominent screw head. The avulsion fracture was treated with open repair and augmentation using a cerclage wire, and the stress riser was eliminated by burying the screw head into the bone. The outcomes were satisfactory. Preventing implant-related stress risers during internal fixation of fractures requires diligent surgical techniques.