what is treatment for fractured patella?

Nonsurgical Treatment of Patella Fractures

• Braces and Casts. For most patella fractures that don’t require surgery, our doctors work with NYU Langone orthotics...
• Electronic Bone Stimulation. As the fractured patella begins to heal, your doctor may recommend a technique called...
• Physical Therapy. As soon as you can bend your injured knee without pain, NYU Langone...

Full Answer

What exercises should I do after fractured patella?

• Begin with walking or freestyle swimming.
• Add sports that require jumping or making sharp cuts last.
• Do not do any sport or activity that increases pain.

How do you repair a patellar fracture?

Recovery

• Pain Management. Most fractures hurt moderately for a few days to a couple of weeks. ...
• Rehabilitation. Whether your treatment is surgical or nonsurgical, rehabilitation will play a vital role in getting you back to your daily activities.
• Weight Bearing. Your doctor will tell you when you can begin to bear weight on your leg. ...

What happens after patella surgery?

• Diligent rehabilitation. The most important thing you can do to avoid a recurrent patella dislocation is to recover fully from your first one. ...
• Leg muscle conditioning. ...
• Proper athletic form. ...
• Surgery. ...

What is the treatment for a broken patella?

Rehabilitation for a Broken Kneecap

• Fractures. A kneecap fracture can be displaced or nondisplaced. ...
• Cause. Most patella fractures result from forceful trauma to the frontal aspect of the knee. ...
• Immobilization. Most fractures will require immobilization as a precursor to the rehabilitation process. ...
• Exercises. After the cast or brace has been removed, the doctor may have you begin exercises. ...

See more

What You Need to Know

Patella (kneecap) fractures (broken kneecap) are common injuries. About 1% of all broken bones are broken kneecaps.

What is a kneecap fracture?

A kneecap (patella) fracture is a break of the bone located on the front of the knee joint. The patella is a sesamoid bone: a round bone embedded in a tendon that shields and protects a joint. In the case of the patella, ligaments attach it to both the thigh muscles (quadriceps) and the shinbone (tibia).

Types of Kneecap Fractures

The type of patella fracture depends on the mechanism and severity of the injury. It can be affected by your weight and general health.

What causes kneecap fractures?

Patella fractures are injuries often associated with a blow to the knee. Common causes include:

Kneecap Fracture Diagnosis

Your doctor may use some of the following techniques to determine if you have fractured your patella:

Treatment for a Fractured Kneecap

Treatment for patella fracture varies depending on how severe the break is, as well as your age, health and other factors.

Recovery and Complications After a Patella Fracture

The knee is a complex joint that bears weight. Even after treatment, you may experience continued pain and reduced range of motion. Post-traumatic arthritis (thinning of cartilage due to trauma) of the knee is a common complication of patella fractures and other knee injuries.

How to heal a fractured patella?

As the fractured patella begins to heal, your doctor may recommend a technique called electronic bone stimulation. This painless therapy may help speed the rate of bone healing and takes place in the doctor’s office or at NYU Langone’s Bone Healing Center . A doctor places a small electrode or electrodes—which are flat discs ...

What is the best medicine for patella fracture?

While the fracture heals, a doctor may recommend pain medication to make you more comfortable. For some people, an over-the-counter medicine, such as acetaminophen, works well.

How long does it take for a patella fracture to heal?

Physical therapy may continue once a week for six to eight weeks or until the patella fracture is healed completely.

How to restore range of motion in knee?

Physical therapy can also restore range of motion in your knee. Simple weight-bearing exercises, such as leg raises, can help to strengthen the muscles around the injured knee. Strong muscles improve mobility and also support the knee and protect it from another injury.

How long does it take to heal a knee injury?

Physical Therapy. As soon as you can bend your injured knee without pain, NYU Langone doctors recommend physical therapy. This may be one to six weeks after injury. Physical therapists at NYU Langone’s Rusk Rehabilitation can tailor a rehabilitation plan to help you build strength and flexibility in the knee and surrounding muscles.

What is patella fracture?

A patella fracture is an injury to the kneecap. The kneecap is one of three bones that make up the knee joint. The patella is coated with cartilage on its undersurface and is important in providing the strength of extension (straightening) of the knee joint. Verywell / Gary Ferster.

How long does it take to recover from a patellar fracture?

It can take three to six months, on average, to return to prior activity levels after treatment for a patellar fracture. 1 Your recovery time will depend on your physical therapy goals, whether you had surgery or nonsurgical treatment, and the seriousness of your injury.

Why does my kneecap fracture?

There are certain situations when the kneecap may fracture even with minor injuries. Sometimes these injuries are pathologic fractures —bone fractures that occur as a result of weak bone. Pathologic fractures can be caused by osteoporosis (thin bone), bone infection, or tumors.

How painful is a patella fracture?

Pain: Patella fractures are generally quite uncomfortable. Keeping the knee straight can help significantly with discomfort, and bending the joint is typically very painful. Swelling: Swelling and bruising around the front of the knee is typical of a patella fracture. As days go by, it is not uncommon for the swelling to extend down the leg, ...

Why is it important to realign the bones and cartilage surface of the kneecap?

One of the important aspects of surgery is to realign the bones and cartilage surface of the kneecap to minimize the development of arthritis of the knee joint. Because of damage to the knee joint cartilage when a fracture occurs, there is a higher chance of the development of arthritis of the joint.

Why does my knee swell?

The swelling is caused by bleeding from the fractured bone ends into the knee joint. Patients with a large amount of blood in the knee may benefit from draining the blood for pain relief. 1  Immobilizing the knee with a knee brace will also help minimize discomfort.

How are fractured ends held in place?

The fractured ends of the bone are realigned and held in place with some combination of pins, screws, and wires. 1 In some cases, a portion of the patella can simply be removed, but this is usually done for smaller fracture fragments.

Why is the patella vulnerable to fracture?

Because the patella acts as a shield for your knee joint, it is vulnerable to fracture if you fall directly onto your knee or hit it against the dashboard in a vehicle collision. A patellar fracture is a serious injury that can make it difficult or even impossible to straighten your knee or walk.

What causes patellar fractures?

Patellar fractures are most often caused by: 1 Falling directly onto the knee 2 Receiving a sharp blow to the knee, such as might occur during a head-on vehicle collision if your kneecap is driven into the dashboard

What happens if you break a patella bone?

If the pieces of bone are out of place (displaced), you will most likely need surgery. Fractured patellar bones that are not close together often have difficulty healing or may not heal. The thigh muscles that attach to the top of the patella are very strong and can pull the broken pieces out of place during healing.

Where does a fracture occur in the knee?

A break can occur at the top, center, or lower part of the bone. Sometimes, fractures occur in more than one area of the kneecap. This x-ray of a knee taken from the side shows a patella that has been fractured in three places.

What is a stable fracture?

Stable fracture. This type of fracture is nondisplaced. The pieces of bone may remain in contact with each other or be separated by just a millimeter or two. In a stable fracture, the bones usually stay in place during healing.

What happens if you have a fractured bone in your knee?

In this condition, blood from the fractured bone ends collects inside the joint space, causing painful swelling. If you have a large amount of blood in your knee, your doctor may drain it to help relieve your pain. Your doctor will also order x-rays to help diagnose your fracture.

Why is it important to treat an open fracture?

Open fractures are particularly serious because, once the skin is broken, there is a higher risk for infection in both the wound and the bone. Immediate treatment is required to prevent infection.

What are the symptoms of a patellar fracture?

What are the signs and symptoms of a patellar fracture? Pain when your knee is touched or when you move your leg. Swelling and bruising around your knee. Being able to straighten your leg but not to bend it. Not being able to stand up or put weight on your leg.

What to do if your kneecap is broken?

Medicines can help prevent or fight pain or a bacterial infection. You may also need a Td vaccine. This vaccine is a booster shot to help prevent tetanus. You may need the Td vaccine if bone broke through the skin.

How to help knee pain when walking?

Crutches help rest and support your knee when you walk. Your healthcare provider will tell you when you can start to use crutches. Follow instructions about how much weight to put on your leg. Apply ice to help decrease swelling and pain. Use an ice pack, or put crushed ice in a plastic bag.

How to remove a kneecap?

Surgery may also be used to remove part or all of your kneecap. Physical therapy may be recommended. A physical therapist teaches you exercises to help improve movement and strength, and to decrease pain.

How to get a knee to feel better?

Use an ice pack, or put crushed ice in a plastic bag. Cover it with a towel before you place it on your knee or supportive device. Apply ice for 15 to 20 minutes every hour for 2 days , or as directed. Elevate your knee above the level of your heart as often as you can.

How to tell if patellar fracture is infected?

Other symptoms may include: Bruising. Inability to straighten the knee or keep it extended in a straight leg raise. Inability to walk.

Where is the patella located?

The patella is a small bone located in front of the knee joint — where the thighbone (femur) and shinbone (tibia) meet. It protects the knee and connects the muscles in the front of the thigh to the tibia. The ends of the femur and the undersides of the patella are covered with a smooth substance called articular cartilage.

What is a comminuted fracture?

Comminuted fracture. In some fractures, the top or, more likely, the bottom of the patella is broken into several small pieces. This type of fracture occurs when the kneecap is first pulled apart from the injury, and is then crushed when the patient falls on it. Because the bone fragments are too small to be fixed back into place, ...

What type of fracture requires surgery to put the pieces of bone back together?

The normally smooth joint surface may have also moved. This type of fracture often requires surgery to put the pieces of bone back together. A comminuted fracture. In this type of fracture, the bone shatters into three or more pieces.

How to keep knee straight after a fracture?

Your doctor may apply a cast or splint to keep your knee straight and help prevent motion in your leg. This will keep the broken ends of bone in proper position while they heal. Depending upon your specific fracture, you may be allowed to bear weight on your leg while wearing a cast or brace.

How to help a knee injury?

During rehabilitation, your doctor or a physical therapist will provide you with specific exercises to help: 1 Improve range of motion in your knee 2 Strengthen your leg muscles 3 Decrease stiffness

Can you walk with a patellar fracture?

A patellar fracture is a serious injury that can make it difficult or even impossible to straighten your knee or walk. Some simple patellar fractures can be treated by wearing a cast or splint until the bone heals. In most patellar fractures, however, the pieces of bone move out of place when the injury occurs.

How long does physical therapy last for patella fracture?

An NYU Langone physical therapist can tailor an exercise regimen to your needs. Physical therapy appointments usually continue twice a week for six weeks as you continue to build strength ...

What is the best way to repair a fractured kneecap?

Surgery is sometimes needed to repair and stabilize the patella, or kneecap, after a fracture. Orthopedic surgeons at NYU Langone have the expertise to determine when surgery is the best option to restore knee function and which surgical technique is most appropriate.

How long does it take for a patella to be immobilized?

If the patella was fractured into many pieces, or if a bone fragment extended through the skin, the knee may need to be immobilized in a cast or brace for an additional three to six weeks.

What is displaced fracture?

Fractures that require surgery tend to be displaced fractures, meaning the patella has been broken into many different fragments that have separated from each other. In addition, surgery is typically scheduled immediately if any of the bone fragments have broken through the skin, called an open fracture. If the tendons or ligaments surrounding the ...

Why do surgeons make incisions in kneecaps?

First a surgeon makes an incision over the kneecap in order to see the pieces of broken bone and assess how well they can be put back together. If any bone fragments are too small to be put back into position, the surgeon may remove them.

Why do you move your knee after knee surgery?

Moving the knee soon after surgery helps to speed healing and prevent a complication, such as a blood clot that develops deep in a vein in the leg. Before you leave the hospital, your doctor provides you with a knee splint to be worn for the first three to six days after surgery. This allows the incision to heal.

What to expect after knee surgery?

What to Expect After Surgery. After surgery, a pain management specialist ensures sure you have medication to help you feel comfortable while the knee heals. A physical therapist visits before you leave the hospital to assess the range of motion of the repaired knee.

What is the patella of the knee?

The kneecap (the patella) is a triangular bone at the front of the knee. Several tendons and ligaments connect to the kneecap, including ones attached to the upper leg (femur) and lower leg (tibia) bones. Though the kneecap is not needed for walking or bending your leg, it makes your muscles more efficient and absorbs much ...

How many types of surgery are needed to repair a fractured kneecap?

Kneecap fractures account for about 1% of all skeletal injuries. Two types of surgery may be done to repair a fractured kneecap. Once your kneecap has healed, making the muscles around your knee stronger can help avoid further injury.

Why do you need a kneecap when walking?

Though the kneecap is not needed for walking or bending your leg, it makes your muscles more efficient and absorbs much of the stress between the upper and lower portions of the leg.

How to prevent kneecap injury?

Once your kneecap has healed, making the muscles around your knee stronger can help avoid further injury. Playing contact sports or doing other activities that put stress on your knee can increase the risk of another injury to the kneecap.

What causes a broken kneecap?

What causes a fractured kneecap? In most cases, a broken kneecap is caused by a direct blow to the front of the knee from a car accident, sports or a fall onto concrete. Most kneecap fractures occur in people between the ages of 20 and 50.

What percentage of skeletal injuries are fractured kneecaps?

Kneecap fractures account for about 1 percent of all skeletal injuries. The kneecap can fracture in many ways: partially or completely, into a few or into many pieces. Sometimes when the kneecap is fractured, the ligaments or tendons attached to it can be sprained or torn.

What is the best way to check for fractured kneecap?

X-rays, taken from several angles, are the best way to learn the extent of a fractured kneecap and to check for other injuries. If other injuries are suspected, a computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging scan may be done.

What is a broken patellar fracture?

Broken knee cap. When the front part of your knee that acts a shield is damaged, it leaves your knee joint exposed and vulnerable. Broken kneecaps are not only extremely painful but this type of injury is very severe and one that needs to be correctly diagnosed and treated as a matter of urgency.

How to fix a kneecap injury?

Keep your injured leg elevated. Take over-the-counter pain relief medication. If the damage to your kneecap is severe, you should ask your doctor for stronger pain relief medication which they would prescribe for you to take, bearing in mind that you should only take the amount prescribed.

How long does it take for a kneecap fracture to heal?

If you suffered a minor fracture to your kneecap, the healing time typically takes anything from 4 to 6 weeks. However, with the right rehabilitation, you could help speed up a fractured kneecap healing time considerably. If, however, your injury was very severe, you could be off your feet anything from 6 to 12 weeks.

What type of injury can you sustain to your kneecap?

It is also worth noting that you can sustain various types injuries to your kneecap which are as follows: A stable fracture – this is where a bone moves slightly out of position and remains that way during the healing process.

How long does it take to recover from a broken kneecap?

In the majority of cases, most people who suffer a broken kneecap are able to return to work and carry out normal daily activities in anything from 3 to 6 months but should you have sustained a very severe fracture to your kneecap, it could take even longer for you to make a full recovery.

What happens if you break your kneecap?

When you sustain a broken kneecap, it’s the small bone that is found at the front of your knee that protects your knee that is damaged. It is the type of the injury that happens if you are involved in a road traffic accident when your knee bangs into the dashboard or when you fall heavily onto a hard surface on your knees.

Where does a kneecap fracture occur?

A fracture can happen at the lower part of the bone, in the centre or at the top but can also occur in several places. It is also worth noting that you can sustain various types injuries to your kneecap which are as follows:

Patella Fracture Symptoms

Causes

Treatment

• Patella fractures should be seen in the emergency room. X-rays will determine the type of fracture and the amount of displacement (separation) of the fracture.1One of the critical factors in determining treatment is a thorough examination. Specifically, healthcare providers will check if the patient can perform a straight leg raise. A straight leg ...

See more on verywellhealth.com

Rehab After Surgery

Frequently Asked Questions