OBJECTIVES: Patella fracture is a complex medical problem with no clear medical guideline for successful treatment. Patella fractures are often concurrent with multiple other leg fractures, are treated with non-specific devices such as k-wires that may require removal after surgery. This study was designed to better understand the demographics, comorbidities and risks of complications and reoperations of patients with patella fractures.

METHODS: The Truven Commercial database was queried. All patients with patella repair procedures (2013-2017) with at least 12 months washout window pre-2013 and continuous enrollment for 6-months before and 12-months post-patella repair were included. Index was defined as time of patella repair procedure. Patient demographics and comorbidities at time of index were evaluated using the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) and Elixhauser index. Proportion of patients developing either infection, nonunion or malunion within 12-month of index were identified. Proportion of patients with lower leg reoperations were also analyzed. To address data skewness, a generalized linear model was used to evaluate cost of index and reoperation. All costs were adjusted for inflation using 2016 consumer price index.

RESULTS: CONCLUSIONS: The main cost driver associated with patella fracture was the reoperation cost as complication rates were less than 2%.