1840
Refers to a break of the kneecap.
Frequency about 1% of fractures.
Males are affected more often than females.
Middle aged patients are most often affected.
Symptoms of a patella fracture include pain, swelling, and bruising to the front of the knee.
A person may also be unable to walk.
Complications may include injury to the tibia, femur, or knee ligaments.
Fractures are classified as stable, displaced, comminuted and open.
It is caused by trauma to the front of the knee, particularly with falls.
Occasionally it may occur from a strong contraction of the thigh muscles.
Diagnosis is based on symptoms, clinical findings and confirmed with X-rays.
Differential diagnosis includes a bipartite patella.
Treatment choices are casting, splinting, and surgery.
Prognosis with treatment is good.
Diagnosis is based on symptom and confirmed with X-rays. or an MRI.
Surgery, may be needed, depending on the type of fracture.
Undisplaced fracture can usually be treated by casting.
Some displaced fractures can be treated with casting if the as a patient can straighten their leg without help.
The leg is immobilized in a straight position for the first three weeks and then increasing degrees of bending are allowed.
More significant fractures generally require surgery.
Patellectomy is used in cases of comminuted fracture.
A partial patellectomy is removal of only a portion of the patella, while any ligaments or tendons that had been connected to the removed portion are connected to the remaining portion.
Band wiring may be required with two part fractures to unite the fractured bones.
With advancement of fixation technique comminuted fracture of the patella are now being reconstructed.