Patellar (Kneecap) Fractures

Your patella (kneecap) is a bone that protects your knee joint. A fall or some kind of direct impact on this bone can cause a fracture. A fractured patella is a serious injury and typically requires surgery.

There are various types of patellar fractures, including:

• Stable fracture – the bone is still in alignment
• Displaced fracture – the bone is fractured into two pieces, which do not line up with each other
• Comminuted fracture – the bone is fractured into three or more pieces
• Open fracture – the bone has punctured the skin and is exposed. Infection is very likely if this fracture is not treated immediately. Compared to closed fractures, in which the skin is not broken, open fractures are typically associated with more damage to the surrounding muscles, tendons, and ligaments and take longer time to heal.

Here at YourOrthoSolution, we have some of the top orthopedic surgeons and sports medicine physicians in the country. We are dedicated to getting you back to the things you love through a customized plan that fits only you. Our caring team always goes that extra step to make you feel like part of our family. We have extensive experience and specialize in treating patellar fractures. Let us help you start the healing process as quickly as possible to get you on the path to recovery.

Symptoms

The main symptoms of a patellar fracture are pain and swelling in the front of the knee. Bruising may also occur, and you may not be able to straighten your knee or walk.

Treatment

The type of treatment you receive will depend to a large extent on the type of fracture you have.

Nonsurgical

Nonsurgical options are available only if you have a stable fracture, with no displaced pieces of bone. In this situation, a cast or splint is generally used to keep your knee straight and stable for proper healing. Crutches will be required to help keep the weight off your leg for six to eight weeks.

Surgical

Surgery is required for displaced, comminuted, or open fractures. An open fracture requires immediate surgery to reduce the risk of infection. Surgery for a displaced or comminuted fracture may be delayed until after swelling in the area subsides.

Depending on your type of fracture, there are a number of options for surgical techniques. Procedures of this nature may be performed on an outpatient basis in a surgery center setting. There are many advantages to surgery centers, including better outcomes, lower infection rates, no overnight stay, lower costs, and the convenience that comes with a smaller, yet highly skilled, staff.

As with all our procedures here at YourOrthoSolution, the goal is to get you back to full strength and doing the activities you want to do. Our highly trained specialists will take into account several factors and create a customized treatment plan for you and your needs to give you the best chance of having a fully recovery, with no problems in the future.