This procedure reduces the problem of the treatment of certain fractures of the patella from one in which there is an effort to attain bony or fibrous union of fragments that normally exhibit very little osteogenic resourcefulness, to one in which only union of tendinous structures is involved, and in which there is assurance of success if meticulous asepsis is observed and adequate sustaining suture of soft structures is carried out. Such a procedure allows early use of the extremity, decreases the period of disability, and relieves much of the possibility of refracture.