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Patella Fracture Treatment

The kneecap, or patella, protects the knee joint and connects the tendons from the upper and lower leg. This thin bone is susceptible to fractures when impacted during a fall or other type of injury accident. Patella fractures can be mild or severe, depending on the extent of the break. Jonathan L. Glashow, MD orthopedic surgery and sports injury center offers patella fracture treatment at our location in Miami, FL.

Kneecap fractures are common due to the delicate nature of this small, triangle bone. Landing hard on your knee or having an object impact the front of your knee can split the patella. A simple fracture can occur with only one break in the bone, or the bone can break into pieces. Symptoms of a broken kneecap include:

  • Swelling
  • Bruising
  • Intense knee pain
  • Difficulty straightening the leg
  • Difficulty walking

Depending on the severity, you may not be able to straighten the leg at all. If the patella is shattered, the quadricep is no longer attached to the tibia, meaning you cannot lift the lower leg. These severe knee fractures require surgery to repair or replace the patella.

Kneecap Repair Surgery

Simple fractures of the kneecap do not require surgery. If the bone is stable, a cast or brace can be worn to immobilize the knee while it heals. However, if there are multiple breaks, an open fracture or a shattered kneecap, surgery is needed to repair the bone and reconnect the tendons from the upper and lower leg.

Patella repair surgery can include using plates or screws to restore the kneecap bone. It may also require reattaching tendons or removing bone fragments that are too small to repair. These procedures can be complex, requiring the expertise of a knee joint specialist like Dr. Jonathan Glashow.

If you have a complex patella fracture, treatment or surgery is available in the Miami and Fort Lauderdale, FL, area. Contact our team at Jonathan L. Glashow, MD orthopedic surgery and sports injury center to schedule a broken kneecap consultation with our orthopedic specialists. Call our center to schedule your appointment.

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