Comminuted fractures in the patella
A comminuted fracture may occur in any bone, but in the knee one is usually referring to the patella (kneecap). Cerclage wires are often used to hold the fragments together until healing takes place.
"In severe comminuted fractures [of the patella], open reduction and fixation with small fragment screws or new angular stable plates for anatomic restoration of the retropatellar surface and extension mechanism results in best outcome. Additional circular cerclage wiring using either typical metal cerclage wires or resorbable PDS/non-resorbable FiberWires increases fixation stability and decreases risk for re-dislocation."