Pronounced: pah-TEL-ah FRAK-choor
This injury happens when there is a break in the patella. The patella is a large, movable bone at the front of the knee.
The patella is part of the knee joint. It is formed between the tendons that connect the thigh bone (femur) to the leg bone (tibia). It protects the front of the knee joint and acts as a point of support, providing increased power to the thigh muscles, which extend the knee. The inner portion of the patella does come in contact with the thigh bone part of the knee joint.
Some common causes of this injury include:
These factors increase your chance of developing a patella fracture:
Tell your doctor if you have any of these risk factors.
If you have any of these symptoms do not assume it is due to a patella fracture. These symptoms may be caused by other conditions. Tell your doctor if you have any of these:
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. She will also do a physical exam. The doctor will look closely at the knee to see if there are signs of fracture . Tests may include:
Talk with your doctor about the best treatment plan for you. Treatment options include the following:
After the tests, your doctor will determine whether you need surgery. If the patella is not badly injured, your doctor will place the knee in a cast . This cast may need to be worn for six weeks. After that, you will wear a knee brace and do physical therapy. You may need to use a cane or a crutch .
Your doctor may recommend pain medication to reduce pain and swelling.
If the patella is in pieces, then you will need surgery. There are two kinds of surgery that are commonly used to treat this injury:
After surgery, you will need to do physical therapy. This can involve range-of-motion exercises and stretching . You will slowly build strength in the injured leg. In some cases, another surgery will be needed to remove the pins and screws .
Depending on the injury, recovery can take weeks to several months.
To help reduce your chance of getting a patella fracture, take the following steps:
RESOURCES:
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
http://www.aaos.org/
American Physical Therapy Association
http://www.orthopt.org/
CANADIAN RESOURCES
Canadian Orthopaedic Association
http://www.coa-aco.org/
Canadian Orthopaedic Foundation
http://www.canorth.org/
References:
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Fractured kneecap. Cedars-Sinai website. Available at: http://www.csmc.edu/9860.html . Accessed December 3, 2008.
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Henry P, Panwitz B, Wilson JK. Rehabilitation of a post-surgical patella fracture. Physiotherapy. 2000;86:139-142.
Leach R. Fracture. EBSCO Publishing Health Library website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/thisTopic.php?marketID=15topicID=81 . Updated November 2008. Accessed December 3, 2008.
Patellar fracture. EBSCO Publishing DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php . Updated July 2008. Accessed December 3, 2008.
Patellar tendinopathy, EBSCO Publishing Rehabilitation Reference Center website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/thisTopic.php?marketID=16topicID=860 . Updated August 2008. Accessed November 18, 2008.
Stedman’s Medical Dictionary. 28th ed. Baltimore, MD: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2005; 770; 1441; 1391.
Stress fracture. The American College of Foot & Ankle Orthopedics & Medicine website. Available at: http://www.acfaom.org/stress.shtml . Accessed November 18, 2008.
Tay G, Warrier S, Marquis G. Indirect patella fractures following ACL reconstruction. Acta Orthopaedica. 2006;77:494-500.
Last reviewed December 2008 by Robert Leach, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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