As fracture of the patella may casue loss of continuity of the extensor mechanism and incongruity of the patellofemoral joint, the aim of treatment is to restore function and strength of the knee and to minimize posttraumatic osteoathritis by closed or open methods.

To know which method is adequate to fixation of the patellar fractures, the authors reviewed 35 cases of the patellar fractures, which were treated with K-wire fixation, circumferential wiring, modified tension band wiring or combined circumferential wiring with modified tension band wiring, with radiological change of patellar length after exercise, and obtained the following results:

1. Postoperative lengthening of the patea occurred in 17 out of 35 cases(49%) and the range was 1.3 to 8.0mm, mean 3.1mm

2. Patellar lenthening occurred in cases with K-wire fixation or cirumferential wiring more than modified thension band or combined circumferential wiring with modified tension band fixation.

3. Modified tension band added to circumferential wiring may be obtained more rigid fixation in comminuted fracture, especially.