Patellar Fracture

1. Definition

A Patellar Fracture is a break in the patella (kneecap), typically caused by direct trauma, such as a fall onto the knee or a motor vehicle collision. This injury impairs the knee extension mechanism, making it difficult or impossible for the patient to straighten their leg. Treatment ranges from surgical fixation to conservative casting. In both cases, rehabilitation requires the use of a rigid Knee Immobilizer to restrict joint movement and protect the bone during healing. ([Wikipedia][1])

2. Alternate Names

*   Patellar Fracture
*   Kneecap Fracture
*   Fractured Patella
*   Broken Kneecap

3. Recognized Identities

*   Wikipedia: Patella fracture
*   Wikidata: Q3053896
*   DBpedia: Patella_fracture
*   ProductOntology: N/A
*   Wiktionary: fracture
*   Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH): Patella — Fractures — Treatment — Philippines
*   MeSH: Fractures, Bone
*   NCBI Taxonomy: N/A
*   AGROVOC: N/A
*   Google Scholar: patellar fracture kneecap break knee immobilizer surgical fixation rehab
*   ConceptNet: fracture
*   OpenCyc: N/A

4. Examples of Usage

*   **Nondisplaced Patellar Break:** Stabilizing a hairline kneecap fracture with a full-leg rigid splint for six weeks without surgery.
*   **Knee Immobilizer:** The main canonical article details the rigid aluminum stays, straps, and post-injury immobilizer sizing.

5. Typical Scenarios

*   **Recovering from direct knee trauma:** A patient wears a rigid knee immobilizer brace daily to protect their healing patellar fracture after slipping on wet stairs.
*   **Initiating post-fracture physical therapy:** A physical therapist removes a patient's knee immobilizer during sessions to perform gentle, passive knee bending exercises.

6. Key Strategies

*   Cross-reference immobilizer selections and adjustments with the main Knee Immobilizer article.
*   Use crutches or a walker alongside the knee immobilizer to avoid full weight-bearing on the fractured knee early on.

7. Safety & Security Measures

*   Ensure the aluminum stays of the knee immobilizer are aligned along the sides of the leg to prevent brace sliding.
*   Check for skin redness or numbness along the calf and ankle, which can indicate excessive strap pressure.

8. Historical Context

Surgical treatment for displaced patellar fractures advanced in the late 19th century with the introduction of tension-band wiring by Lister. In the mid-to-late 20th century, the development of lightweight, adjustable orthopedic braces allowed clinicians to shift away from heavy plaster casts, enabling easier skin inspections and early controlled joint mobilization.

9. Common Challenges

*   **Stiffness post-recovery:** Keeping the knee straight for weeks to protect the patella results in joint capsule tightness, requiring months of physical therapy to resolve.
*   **Hardware Irritation:** The metal wires or screws used in surgical patellar fixation can cause discomfort under the skin, sometimes requiring removal.

10. Related Topics

*   [[Knee Immobilizer]]
*   [[Orthopedic Braces]]
*   [[ACL Reconstruction]]
*   [[Physical Therapy in the Philippines]]

11. References

1.  [Patella Fracture — Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patella_fracture)