Widely displaced patella fracture

Patella- "Knee Cap"  Fractures

Fractures that involve the patella (knee cap) are common injuries and usually involve falls directly on the knee. Treatment depends on the amount of displacement of the fracture and whether the patient can straighten their leg. In non-displaced fractures, the bone has a small fracture, but the integrity of the soft tissue structures around the knee is not compromised.  In these cases, surgery is not indicated and these injuries are treated with a long leg cast and gradual progressive of function.  In fractures that have disruption of the ability to straighten the leg or displacement of the joint surface of the knee cap surgical intervention is required.  Surgery generally takes about 1 hour and involves realigning the bone and repairing the fracture with wires with a technique called a tension band. Many times the surgery can be performed as an outpatient.  I keep patients non-weight bearing for the first 4 weeks, but allow them to move the knee within tolerance after surgery. Recovery is slow and it usually takes 4-6 months to recover muscle strength and range of motion.  The wires often cause irritation over the kneecap and I often recommend removal of the wires after 12 months.

Patella fracture repaired with tension band wiring