Patella Fracture
Colorado Springs Orthopaedic Group
Your knees absorb significant stress with every step, making them particularly vulnerable to injury, overuse, and wear over time. Knee pain can interfere with walking, exercise, work, sports, and many of the activities you enjoy.
CSOG provides comprehensive evaluation and treatment for knee conditions affecting patients of all ages and activity levels. Our specialists treat sports injuries, ligament and meniscus problems, arthritis, fractures, and other conditions using both nonsurgical and surgical approaches.
Depending on your diagnosis, treatment may include physical therapy, medications, injections, bracing, minimally invasive procedures, or surgery. We take your symptoms, activity level, and goals into account when developing your treatment plan, with a focus on reducing pain and helping you regain strength, stability, and function.
What is a Patella Fracture?
The kneecap or patella forms a part of the knee joint. It is present at the front of the knee, protecting the knee and providing attachment to various muscle groups of the thigh and leg. The undersurface of the kneecap and the lower end of the femur are coated with articular cartilage, which helps in smooth movement of the knee joint. A fracture in the kneecap is rare but common in adult males.
What are the Causes of Patella Fracture?
The most common cause of fracture is a direct blow to the kneecap such as a fall or a motor vehicle accident. The patella can also be fractured indirectly, due to a sudden contraction of the thigh muscles.
What are the Symptoms of a Patella Fracture?
Pain and swelling are the predominant symptoms of a patella fracture. You may also experience the inability to walk and difficulty in straightening the knee. Sometimes, bruising may also be seen around the fracture site.
How is Patella Fracture Diagnosed?
The diagnosis of a patella fracture comprises of a physical examination, history of the injury and X-ray imaging to determine the nature and severity of the fracture. The X-ray is the most common and widely used diagnostic tool for identification of fractures.
What is Treatment for Patella Fracture?
The treatment of a patellar fracture depends upon the severity and nature of the fracture.
Non-surgical treatment
Non-surgical treatment is the first line of treatment when the patella has not been fragmented or displaced. Casts or splints may be used to straighten the knee and help in the healing process. Immobilization of the affected limb for 6 to 8 weeks may also be recommended.
Surgical Treatment
Surgical treatment is suggested in case of displacement of the fractured fragments of the bone or if the distance between the fractured parts is too far, impeding the healing process. Immediate surgery is recommended in case of open fractures where the fractured site is exposed through the skin. The type of procedure to be conducted depends on the nature of the fracture. Transverse fractures are fixed with the help of wires and pins and a "figure-of-eight" configuration tension band while in a comminuted fracture, the small bone fragments are removed from the knee joint.
What Does Rehabilitation after Patella Fracture Treatment Involve?
Rehabilitation plays a vital role in helping you resume your daily activities after healing of the fracture. Treatment of the fracture may cause stiffness of the joint and weakness of the muscles. Physical therapy, joint mobilization, and muscle strengthening exercises or weight-bearing exercises are helpful in regaining strength and preventing deformities.
For more information about our services or to schedule an appointment, call us at or click here to request an appointment online. We'll respond to you as soon as possible.
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