| Patella fracture | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Broken kneecap |
 | |
| A fracture of the patella seen on a lateral view | |
| Specialty | Orthopedics |
| Symptoms | Pain, swelling, bruising to front of the knee[1] |
| Complications | Injury to the tibia, femur, or knee ligaments[2] |
| Types | Stable, displaced, comminuted, open[1] |
| Causes | Trauma to the front of the knee[1] |
| Diagnostic method | Based on symptom, confirmed with X-rays.[3] |
| Differential diagnosis | Bipartite patella[3] |
| Treatment | Casting, splinting, surgery[2] |
| Prognosis | Generally good with treatment[2] |
| Frequency | ~ 1% of fractures[3] |
A patella fracture is a break of the kneecap.[1] Symptoms include pain, swelling, and bruising to the front of the knee.[1] A person may also be unable to walk.[1] Complications may include injury to the tibia, femur, or knee ligaments.[2]
It typically results from a hard blow to the front of the knee or falling on the knee.[1]The patella can also be fractured indirectly. For example, a sudden contraction of the quadriceps muscle in the knee can pull apart the patella.[1]Diagnosis is based on symptoms and confirmed with X-rays.[3] In children an MRI may be required.[3]
Treatment may be with or without surgery, depending on the type of fracture.[2] Undisplaced fracture can usually be treated by casting.[2] Even some displaced fractures can be treated with casting as long as a person can straighten their leg without help.[2] Typically the leg is immobilized in a straight position for the first three weeks and then increasing degrees of bending are allowed.[2] Other types of fractures generally require surgery.[2][4]
Patella fractures make up about 1% of all broken bones.[3] Males are affected more often than females.[3] Those of middle age are most often affected.[3] Outcomes with treatment are generally good.[2]
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Patellar (Kneecap) Fractures". OrthoInfo - AAOS. January 2017. Archived from the original on 16 October 2017. Retrieved 16 October 2017.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Kakazu R, Archdeacon MT (January 2016). "Surgical Management of Patellar Fractures". The Orthopedic Clinics of North America. 47 (1): 77–83. doi:10.1016/j.ocl.2015.08.010. PMID 26614923.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Abbasi D. "Patella Fracture - Trauma". Orthobullets.com. Archived from the original on 17 October 2017. Retrieved 16 October 2017.
- ^ Melvin JS, Mehta S (April 2011). "Patellar fractures in adults". The Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. 19 (4): 198–207. doi:10.5435/00124635-201104000-00004. PMID 21464213. S2CID 34028631.