Patella fracture

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]

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]

It typically results from a hard blow to the front of the knee or falling on the knee.[1] Occasionally it may occur from a strong contraction of the thigh muscles.[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]