Abstract:Objective To evaluate the therapeutic effect of arthroscopic treatment using bioabsorbable cartilage nails combined with suture anchors for traumatic patellar dislocation complicated by osteochondral fracture.Methods We prospectively selected 96 patients with traumatic patellar dislocation complicated by osteochondral fracture, who were treated at Jiangnan Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from January 2020 to January 2023. Patients were randomly divided into the study group (n = 48) and the control group (n = 48). The control group received arthroscopic surgery with suture anchors, while the study group underwent arthroscopic surgery with bioabsorbable cartilage nails combined with suture anchors. Patients were followed up postoperatively. The treatment efficacy was evaluated according to the Bostman scoring system for patellar fractures. Knee joint function was assessed before and after surgery using the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score, the Lysholm knee score, and the visual analog scale (VAS). Knee joint performance was further evaluated by the single-leg hop test and range of motion. Levels of inflammatory cytokines in synovial fluid, including interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), were measured. Postoperative complications were also recorded.Results The effective rate was higher in the study group compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Postoperative IKDC scores and Lysholm knee scores were higher in the study group than in the control group (P < 0.05), while VAS scores were lower in the study group (P < 0.05). The differences in IKDC scores, Lysholm knee scores, and VAS scores before and after surgery were greater in the study group than in the control group (P < 0.05). Postoperative single-leg hop distance and knee flexion angle were greater in the study group compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Levels of IL-1β and TNF-α after treatment were lower in the observation group than in the control group (P < 0.05). The differences in IL-1β and TNF-α levels before and after treatment were greater in the observation group than in the control group (P < 0.05). The overall incidence of complications was lower in the study group than in the control group (P < 0.05).Conclusion The arthroscopic treatment using bioabsorbable cartilage nails combined with suture anchors for traumatic patellar dislocation complicated by osteochondral fractures demonstrates favorable clinical efficacy. This approach not only effectively improves patellar stability and reduces the risk of recurrence, but also enables most patients to achieve good knee joint function within a relatively short period, with a low incidence of complications.