Tension band versus locking plate fixation for patella fractures - a protocol of a randomised controlled trial

INTRODUCTION. Following surgical management of patella fractures, patients commonly report pain; difficulties with weightbearing tasks such as walking, running and climbing stairs; and restrictions in quality of life. Recently, a locking plate system for surgical management of patella fractures has been introduced. To date, no studies have compared standard treatment with tension band wiring with locking plate fixation in a randomised study design. We aim to compare the one-year patientreported Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome subscale scores (KOOS 5-subscales ) after standard care tension band fixation with locking plate fixation for patients with patella fractures. METHODS. This is a multicentre randomised and prospective clinical trial. A total of 122 patients will be included in the study, and the primary outcome will be the KOOS subscales at 12 months after surgery. CONCLUSIONS. Findings from the present study are expected to advance our understanding of outcome following surgical treatment of patella fractures.