Results of partial patellectomy.

We present an assessment of 200 patellar fractures treated mostly (175) by partial patellectomy. In 23 cases in which the quadriceps mechanism was 75% intact (MRC power approximately 4), the fractures were treated conservatively, with an overall acceptable result. The operative series with an average follow-up of 3 years has shown 80.3% excellent to good results. A classification of fractures of the patella, based on the anatomical fracture line and quadriceps functional loss as recorded in 690 case histories, is suggested.