Patella Fracture Treatment
The patella, or kneecap, is a triangular bone that is instrumental in allowing your knee joint to perform at the highest level. While you do not require a kneecap to bend or use your knee, it helps absorb stress on the joint and improves the function of the leg muscles. When a patella, or kneecap, fracture occurs, it can cause pain and impact knee function. Jonathan Glashow, MD, Orthopedic Surgery & Sports Medicine offers advanced patella fracture treatment or surgery at our medical facility in New York City.
Causes and Symptoms of a Kneecap Fracture
The patella is a thin bone that can be broken or shattered. The most common cause of a patella fracture is a direct blow to the front of the knee. Auto/motorcycle accidents, falls and contact sports are typical activities that can result in a broken kneecap. There can be single or multiple fractures in the bone, resulting in the following symptoms:
- Pain and tenderness around the kneecap
- Swelling of the knee
- Disfigurement of the knee
- Knee pain when bending or extending the leg
- Difficulty extending the leg
A minor fracture may heal on its own with treatment to hold the bone in place. However, patella fracture treatment may require surgery if the bone is cracked or broken into two or more pieces. Surgery can include repairing the patella by using surgical hardware to secure the pieces of bone together. In severe patella fractures, shattered pieces of the bone may need to be removed if they cannot be repaired.
If you sustain a direct blow to the knee and have symptoms of a fractured patella, contact our team at Jonathan Glashow, MD, Orthopedic Surgery & Sports Medicine for a consultation with one of our orthopedic specialists. We offer same day appointments and treatment for fractured kneecaps at our facility in New York City.
