A kneecap fracture, also known as a patella fracture, is a break in the patella bone located near the front of the knee joint. Essentially, the patella is a sesamoid bone, meaning that it is encased in a tendon and serves as a sort of joint guard. A group of ligaments that are also found on the femur(long bone in the thigh) are responsible for attaching the patella to the quadriceps muscles(front thigh muscles) and the shinbone at the lower leg. The Pain Medical Clinic at Brownsville has specialized pain management doctors that can prevent further pain to the different parts of the body thru trigger point injections and back ache relief.
The first impact on the kneecap can cause injuries to the knee’s tendons and ligaments, in addition to kneecap fractures.
Common Types of Fractures
Intact Fracture
The bone fragments are either perfectly aligned or spaced by only a millimeter or two from each other. An undisplaced (stable) break generally heals without moving the bones.
Open Fracture
An open fracture exposes the bone since the skin has been broken. Osteomyelitis or a soft tissue infection can emerge as a result of this type of injury. The ligaments, tendons, and muscles that surround open fractures can be severely damaged. Recovery takes longer, and there’s a higher chance of problems. Care must be provided right away.
Displacement of the Fracture
A displaced fracture is not properly aligned with the bone fragments. Bone grafts may be essential in some circumstances.
Fracture with Comminuted Pieces
The term “multiple shattered fracture” refers to a fracture in which three or more bones are broken. To put it another way, the knee is quite unstable.
Causes
A fracture of the patella is a common injury that can be caused by a blow to the knee. The following are some of the more prevalent contributing factors:
- Accidents involving knees and dashboards in motor vehicles
- Contact sports such as football, baseball, and hockey, as well as other activities that put the knees in danger,
- During abrupt contractions, the quadriceps tendon pushes on the kneecap, which causes the kneecap to tear in two (pulling).
- If one were to fall on their knees, particularly on something as hard as concrete, this would be extremely dangerous.
Symptoms
Kneecap fractures typically result in instant discomfort. In addition, there are a number of other symptoms, such as:
- Pain in the lower leg and radiating pain to upper thigh muscles.
- Limitation of motion for knee bending and knee straightening.
- An immediate increase in swelling and bruising around the kneecap are both to be expected.
- Muscle twitching and muscle spasms.
- Weakness of front and back muscles of the knee.
- Inability to bend or bear weight on the knee.
- A sound or sensation of scraping or grinding when moving.
- The shattered bone may be visible through the skin in some circumstances. In some circumstances, the knee appears normal, but it does not function as it generally does.
Diagnosis
- Obtaining history
- Physical Examination
- Diagnostic Tests:
- X-ray of the knee
- Computed tomography scan of the knee
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the knee
Treatment
When the patella is broken, it can cause a significant amount of blood to leak into the joint, which can be an excruciatingly painful experience. During an urgent situation, the joint’s blood and fluid may be drained to speed up the diagnosis of the underlying problem.
Non-surgical Treatment
It is common to recommend nonsurgical treatment if a patellar fracture is stable or if the break is not substantial.
- Anti-inflammatory drugs and other types of painkillers are used to treat pain.
- Leg immobilization in the interim of bone healing through cast or splint to prevent further injury.
- Prevent or reduce the bearing of weight
- A combination of physical therapy and assistive walking devices can aid in your return to full mobility and independence.
Surgical Treatment
Fractures of the kneecap that are more serious frequently need surgical intervention. Surgical repairs may include:
- A combination of screws, pins, and wires should be used to hold the patella in place.
- Take out any pieces of bone that can’t be put back together again. If the comminuted fracture is severe enough, the surgeon may be forced to remove all or part of the kneecap, however, a doctor will make every effort to save and re-attach as much of the kneecap as possible during the procedure.
- As a possible side effect of the fracture, various tissues of the knee joint, including the patellar ligament, may have been affected.
- Patients who suffer from extreme pain in the knee or who have a joint that is deteriorating may be candidates for a knee replacement treatment known as arthroplasty. A surgeon will remove the damaged knee during the arthroplasty process, and then replace it with a joint that is more robust during the procedure itself. This joint will be made from high-quality polymers, plastic, and metal in order to create a functional knee that will allow you to return to walking without experiencing any pain.it will replace the movement of straightening and bending the knee but it is already considered as an artificial type of joint.
Preparation before Knee Arthroplasty
Expect to spend at least one night in the hospital following the surgical procedure for the purposes of observation, and plan accordingly. You will be given pain medication as well as nerve blockers in order to assist with the management of your discomfort. Even after the procedure, you will be advised to start moving your leg in very small increments in order to reduce the risk of blood clots and edema.
As you make progress in your recovery, your physician may recommend the following physical therapy routine to you:
- Move your knee within the range and prevent too many sudden movements. It is best to follow the guidance exercise protocol by a Physical Therapist.
- Take it easy while walking, first indoors and then heading to the outside as your mobility improves
- Start your day by going up and down the stairs, and gradually get into your normal routine.
- Exercise your knees several times throughout the day to build up the muscle and strengthen the joints.
If you suffered a knee fracture from playing sports or from an accident or from any activity that caused trauma to your knee, the Pain Management Doctors at Doral Health and Wellness can help you. A knee fracture is a serious condition that should be addressed immediately because a broken bone can lead to many complications. Aside from fractures , the pain management doctors also diagnose the upper back pain, shoulder pain and back pain. They can refer you to a physical therapist for proper pain and exercise management protocols. To reach out to Doral Health and Wellness, you can take a bus, train, or skyway to locate the area. The address is 1797 Pitkin Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11212, Please book an appointment with us at 347-868-1016 or email us at info@doralhw.org.