A patellar fracture means there is a crack or break in the kneecap, the small bone at the front of your knee. The kneecap protects your knee joint, so if you fall directly on your knee or hit it badly like in a road accident, it can break easily. When this bone breaks, it becomes hard or sometimes not possible to straighten your knee or walk.
Some simple kneecap fractures can heal if you wear a cast or splint that keeps your knee straight for a few weeks. But in most cases, the broken pieces move from their place. When this happens, surgery is needed to bring the pieces together and help your knee work normally again.
Types of Patellar Fracture
- Stable Fracture and Displaced Fracture: In a stable fracture, the bone stays in its correct place. In a displaced fracture, the broken parts do not line up properly and the smooth joint surface is damaged. Surgery is usually needed for displaced fractures to fix the kneecap.
- Comminuted Fracture: Here, the kneecap breaks into three or more pieces. This can be either stable or unstable, depending on the fracture shape.
- Open Fracture: This is when the broken bone comes out through the skin, or there is a deep wound going to the bone. Open fractures are dangerous because there is a high risk of infection. Treatment must be given quickly to prevent infection and to treat the soft tissues around the bone.
If you face knee injuries or think you have a kneecap fracture, visit an experienced orthopedic doctor in Nagpur. Early treatment can help in faster and better recovery.