Two types of surgery may be done to repair a fractured kneecap: Open reduction-internal fixation (ORIF Internal fixation is an operation in orthopedics that involves the surgical implementation of implants for the purpose of repairing a bone, a concept that dates to the mid-nineteenth century and was made applicable for routine treatment in the mid-twentieth century. An internal fixator may be ma…Internal fixation
Can you break your knee cap and not know it?
The answer to the question can you break your knee cap and not know it? Is in reality, no, as one or more of the above symptoms will always be present. What Are the Most Common Causes of a Broken Knee Cap?
What are the signs of a broken kneecap?
Signs and symptoms of a dislocated knee injury include. severe knee pain, deformity of the knee joint, knee swelling, foot numbness, an inability to flex the foot, and. coldness of the foot. If fractures occur, bone fragments may be visible through broken skin, and there may be bruising, bleeding, or other signs of injury.
What are the symptoms of a cracked knee cap?
The symptoms of a patella fracture may include:
- Pain around the kneecap or in the knee
- Bruising
- Swelling, which can be severe, even with relatively minor kneecap fractures
- Inability to bend or straighten the knee or to hold the leg out straight
- Inability to bear weight, stand or walk
- Deformed appearance of the knee, especially with severe fractures
What is the treatment for a broken knee cap?
- A stable fracture – this is where a bone moves slightly out of position and remains that way during the healing process
- A comminuted fracture – this is where the bone is shattered typically into more than three pieces
- An open fracture – this is where the fractured bone breaks through the skin
Can a broken kneecap heal itself?
Stable patella fracture: In a stable fracture, also called a “nondisplaced” fracture, the broken pieces of your bone remain essentially in the right place. They may still be connected to each other, or they may be separated by a millimeter or two. This type of fracture usually heals well without surgery.
Is a broken knee cap serious?
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 it take to recover from a broken knee cap?
Most people will return to their normal activities within three to six months, though those with severe injuries may require longer to heal. Your doctor may suggest making changes to your daily routine to prevent re-injury.
Can you walk with a broken knee cap?
In most cases, you should still be able to walk with a fractured kneecap while the knee is immobilized and healing. Your care team will recommend exercises and weight-bearing restrictions appropriate for each stage of recovery.
How painful is it to break your knee?
Pain: Patella fractures are generally quite uncomfortable. Keeping the knee straight can help significantly with discomfort, while bending the joint is typically very painful. Swelling: Swelling and bruising around the front of the knee is typical of a patella fracture.
When is a knee injury serious?
If it's immensely painful to stand or put any weight on your injured knee, there's definitely something serious going on. “Inability to bear weight after a knee injury could be caused by a fracture, bone contusion, cartilage injury or ligament tear,” explains Dr.
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.
What happens when you break your kneecap?
Sometimes when a broken kneecap occurs, the patellar or quadriceps tendon can also tear. The patella and quadriceps tendon connects the big muscle in the front of your thigh to your knee joint.
What to do if you have a torn tendon in your knee?
If you have a severe fracture, or if your tendon is torn, you may need surgery to repair or replace your kneecap.
How long after a knee splint can you go back to work?
You may be able to return to work: A week after your injury if your job involves mostly sitting. At least 12 weeks after your splint or cast is removed, if your job involves squatting or climbing. Return to sports activities after your provider says it is OK.
How long should I wear a splint on my leg?
Your provider may ask you not to place any weight on your injured leg for up to 1 week or longer. Please check with your provider to find out how long you need to keep weight off your injured leg.
How long does it take for a bandage to be removed from a knee?
Use soap and water to keep your wound clean when your provider says you can. If you have stitches (sutures), they will be removed at around 2 weeks. Do not take baths, swim, or soak your knee in any way until your provider says it is OK.
How to reduce swelling in knees?
This will help reduce swelling and muscle atrophy. Ice your knee. Make an ice pack by putting ice cubes in a plastic bag and wrapping a cloth around it. For the first day of injury, apply the ice pack every hour for 10 to 15 minutes.
Can you put weight on your leg after a knee injury?
After that, you can begin placing weight on your leg, as long as it is not painful and your provider says it is OK. You will need to use the splint on the knee. You may also need to use crutches or a cane for balance.
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 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.
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 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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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 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, ...
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 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.
What is patellar repair?
Patellar fracture repair is surgery that is done to repair a fractured (broken) and displaced patella. The patella (kneecap) is a thick, triangular bone that protects the front of the knee joint. When a kneecap is displaced, pieces of bone have moved out of place. A car accident, sports injury, or a hard fall on your knee may cause ...
How to help a knee when walking?
Using crutches or a cane: Your caregiver will tell you when you can start using crutches or a cane. These devices may help support your knee when walking and may decrease your chance of falling. Follow your caregiver's instructions about how much weight to put on your injured leg.
What is a hinged knee brace?
Wearing a hinged knee brace, cast, or splint: You may need to wear a hinged knee brace, cast, or splint after your surgery. These devices normally cover your leg from your upper thigh to your ankle. Your knee brace, cast, or splint helps support and protect your knee.
What type of surgery is needed for patellar fracture?
You may need an arthroscopic or open reduction and fixation, a partial patellectomy, or a total patellectomy. Your caregiver will repair your kneecap by putting the fractured pieces of it back into their correct places.
Why is it important to move your knee after surgery?
This is very important because it may help prevent displacing your kneecap or other problems after surgery. Some knee stiffness is normal after surgery. Knee movement may help prevent stiffness and swelling of the knee joint. Caregivers may teach you special exercises to strengthen your upper leg muscles.
Can a patellar fracture be a periprosthetic?
You may also have a periprosthetic patellar fracture. This is when your kneecap breaks after you have had surgery to replace your knee. Signs and symptoms of a patellar fracture may include pain and swelling. You may not have any signs or symptoms with a periprosthetic patellar fracture. The type of patellar repair surgery you need depends on ...
Do you need a cast after surgery?
Over time, your caregiver will adjust your brace to allow more movement. Cast: You may need a cast after surgery. When the cast is removed, caregivers may teach you special exercises to help strengthen your leg. Splint: You may need a splint after surgery.
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.
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.
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
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.
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 to Expect
You may have only to limit, not stop, your activity if you have a very minor fracture.
Symptom Relief
Sit with your knee raised at least 4 times a day. This will help reduce swelling and muscle atrophy.
Activity
If you have a removable splint, you will need to wear it at all times, except as instructed by your provider.
Wound Care
If you have a bandage on your knee, keep it clean. Change it if it gets dirty. Use soap and water to keep your wound clean when your provider says you can.
Follow-up Care
You will need to see your provider every 2 to 3 weeks during your recovery. Your provider will check to see how your fracture is healing.
Overview
A patella fracture is a break in your kneecap — the small, flat bone that covers and protects your knee joint like a shield. It’s usually caused by direct injury like a fall on your knee, a blow to your knee or a collision, lik with the dashboard in a car accident.
Symptoms and Causes
A patella fracture is usually caused by a direct blow to your kneecap, such as in a fall, from a sports injury or from a car accident. More rarely, it can also be caused by a sudden muscle contraction in your knee.
Diagnosis and Tests
Your healthcare provider will ask about your symptoms and what happened at the time of the injury. Then they’ll examine your knee. They might have you try to extend your leg. If you can’t, that will likely necessitate surgical intervention. They may also be able to feel the edges of the fractured bone pieces through your skin.
Management and Treatment
Examination: The treatment for a patella fracture depends on the nature of your break. Your healthcare provider will begin by physically examining your knee and checking for signs of hemarthrosis. They may need to treat the hemarthrosis first by draining some of the blood. Then they will take X-rays to determine the type of fracture you have.
Living With
Make sure to follow through with physical therapy after your fracture has healed, in order to restore your muscle strength and range-of-motion.
Can you walk with a broken kneecap?
The x-ray shows it’s displaced and/or comminute. Also, avoid walking with an open fracture.
How do you know if you have a patella fracture?
The patella – also called “kneecap”- is the bone at the front of the knee. It looks like an inverted triangle.
Treatment for a fractured kneecap
This is the best option if the fracture is non-displaced and you can perform a straight leg raise.
FAQs
This will depend on the severity of the fracture and your pain levels.
Conclusion: Can you still walk with a fractured patella?
Your physician is the best person to answer this question, but in general:
Patella Fracture Symptoms
Causes
- A patella fracture most often occurs from a fall directly onto the kneecap.1 When the fracture occurs due to this type of direct trauma, there is often damage to the overlying skin, and because of the limited amount of soft tissue, this can sometimes become an open fracture. Patella fractures can also occur when the quadriceps muscle is contracting but the knee joint is straight…
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 raise test is done by having the patien…
Rehab After Surgery
- Following surgery, you will need to keep your knee in a straight position to allow for initial healing.1You will be given a hinged brace, cast, or splint to wear immediately after surgery that will help with immobilization. Exactly when the knee can begin moving depends on your surgeon's protocol, which is specific to your surgery. Gentle motion can usually begin in the first days to w…
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do you sleep with a broken patella?
Since you’ll be wearing a brace, cast, or splint to keep your knee immobile, sleeping on your back is likely to be most comfortable position. You may also want to use pillows underneath the knee to keep it slightly elevated. Icing the knee a half-hour to an hour before bed, and taking any paink… - What is the average healing time of a broken patella?
It can take three to six months, on average, to return to prior activity levels after treatment for a patellar fracture.1Your recovery time will depend on your physical therapy goals, whether you had surgery or nonsurgical treatment, and the seriousness of your injury.