How long does it take to fully recover from a fractured patella?
Most patients will be able to return to their normal activities within 3 to 6 months. For patients with severe fractures, the return to activity may take longer. Your doctor may suggest some lifestyle changes to help protect your knee and prevent future problems.
How do you rehab a fractured patella?
Straight leg raising in lying down: You lie down on the mat and bend your both legs at the knee so that your both foot are on the floor. Now lift the leg you want to exercise up to 45 degrees. Hold it there for 10 seconds and then repeat with other leg. Do 10 times with each leg and two times a day.
Can you walk if your patella is fractured?
Non-Surgical Treatment for Broken Kneecaps In most cases, patients can walk while the bone heals as long as the brace keeps the knee straight during ambulation. Most patients use crutches, a walker or a cane for stability during the healing process.
What is the most common complication following patellar fracture surgery?
The most common complication after patellar fractures is a decreased range of motion (ROM). Infections, prolonged postoperative immobilization and improper rehabilitation are reported to be the main reasons.
Can you drive with a broken knee cap?
You should eventually be able to resume functional activities like stair climbing, single leg support, swimming, and driving. You will be able to begin more vigorous activities as your kneecap heals and your leg gets stronger.
What happens when you hit your knee cap really hard?
If the knee cap is hit really hard in this area (and doesn’t break …), the tissue called the bursa can bleed and swell and hurt. This area can take a lot longer to heal than just a simple bruise, but generally it should go back to normal.
Can you walk on a hairline fracture knee?
Sometimes, a really bad complete fracture will not be able to carry weight or otherwise function properly. Most of the time, however, fractures can indeed support weight. The patient can probably even walk on a broken leg—it just hurts like the dickens.
How do you treat an injured patella?
Reduce pain and swelling with ice massage, ultrasound, or iontophoresis, which uses a small amount of electricity to push cortisone, a drug, into your body through your skin. Give you stretches and strengthening exercises for your thigh muscles.
How common is a patella fracture?
Kneecap fractures account for about 1 percent of all skeletal injuries. The kneecap can fracture in many ways: partially or completely, into a few or into many pieces. Sometimes when the kneecap is fractured, the ligaments or tendons attached to it can be sprained or torn.
How do you sleep with a broken patella?
How do you sleep with a broken patella? Since you’ll be wearing a brace, cast, or splint to keep your knee immobile, sleeping on your back is likely to be most comfortable position. You may also want to use pillows underneath the knee to keep it slightly elevated.
Can you fracture your knee and still walk on it?
The patella connects the quadriceps muscle of the thigh to the bones of the lower leg, and it is essential to walking. Since you will likely not be able to place any weight on a knee with a fractured patella, it will be difficult, if not impossible, to walk until it is repaired.
What kind of injury is a patellar fracture?
Patellar fracture is one of the common knee injuries usually post direct trauma to the patella or sudden forceful contraction of the quadriceps muscles in the context of a sports injury.
When to apply icing after patella fracture ORIF?
Post-Operative Instructions Patella Fracture ORIF Day of surgery A.Diet as tolerated B.Icing is important for the first 5-7 days post-op. While the post-op dressing is in place, icing should be done continuously. Once the dressing is removed on the third post-operative day, ice is applied for 20-minute periods 3-4 times per day.
What kind of cast is used for Patella fractures?
A long leg cast or a knee immobilizer will be used for the treatment of these types of patellar fractures. When surgery is necessary, an incision is made over the front of the knee joint. The fractured ends of the bone are realigned and held in place with some combination of pins, screws, and wires.
Is there a non-surgical treatment for a patella fracture?
Nonsurgical Treatment of Patella Fractures. Doctors at NYU Langone may suggest one or more nonsurgical treatments for a patella fracture if the quadriceps tendon remains intact and the fracture is not displaced, meaning the patella has fractured but has not broken into many separate pieces.