{"id":1349,"date":"2013-06-06T11:55:09","date_gmt":"2013-06-06T11:55:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/?page_id=1349"},"modified":"2026-04-24T12:49:25","modified_gmt":"2026-04-24T17:49:25","slug":"patellar-fracture","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/patellar-fracture\/","title":{"rendered":"Patellar Fractures"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\t\t\t<div id=\"mmDeferVideoEncompass_56sK1Y9_3G8\" style=\"position: relative;\">\n\t\t\t<picture>\n\t\t\t\t<source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/circle-play-duotone.webp\" type=\"image\/webp\">\n\t\t\t\t<source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/circle-play-duotone.png\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"> \n\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"eager\" id=\"videoThumbnailImage_56sK1Y9_3G8\" data-source-videoID=\"56sK1Y9_3G8\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/circle-play-duotone.png\" alt=\"Patellar Fractures Video\" height=\"464\" width=\"825\" class=\"size-full\" data-matomo-title = \"Patellar Fractures\">\n\t\t\t<\/picture>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<style>img#videoThumbnailImage_56sK1Y9_3G8:hover {cursor:pointer;} img#videoThumbnailImage_56sK1Y9_3G8 {background-size:contain;background-image:url(\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/1600-thumb-1.webp\");}<\/style>\n\t\t\t<script defer>\n\t\t\t  jQuery(\"img#videoThumbnailImage_56sK1Y9_3G8\").click(function() {\n\t\t\t\tlet videoId = jQuery(this).attr(\"data-source-videoID\");\n\t\t\t\tlet helpTag = '<div id=\"mmDeferVideoYTMessage_56sK1Y9_3G8\" style=\"display: none;position: absolute;top: -24px;width: 100%;text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;font-size: small;border-top: 1px solid #fc0;\">Having trouble? <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v='+videoId+'\" target=\"_blank\">Click here to watch on YouTube.<\/a><\/span><\/div>';\n\t\t\t\tlet tag = document.createElement(\"iframe\");\n\t\t\t\ttag.id = \"yt\" + videoId;\n\t\t\t\ttag.src = \"https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/\" + videoId + \"?autoplay=1&controls=1&wmode=opaque&rel=0&egm=0&iv_load_policy=3&hd=0&enablejsapi=1\";\n\t\t\t\ttag.frameborder = 0;\n\t\t\t\ttag.allow = \"autoplay; fullscreen\";\n\t\t\t\ttag.width = this.width;\n\t\t\t\ttag.height = this.height;\n\t\t\t\ttag.setAttribute(\"data-matomo-title\",\"Patellar Fractures\");\n\t\t\t\tjQuery(\"div#mmDeferVideoEncompass_56sK1Y9_3G8\").html(tag);\n\t\t\t\tjQuery(\"div#mmDeferVideoEncompass_56sK1Y9_3G8\").prepend(helpTag);\n\t\t\t\tsetTimeout(function(){jQuery(\"div#mmDeferVideoYTMessage_56sK1Y9_3G8\").css(\"display\", \"block\");}, 2000);\n\t\t\t  });\n\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t<\/script>\n\t\t\n<p><script>\nfunction X6m_Function() {\n  var x = document.getElementById(\"X6m\");\n  if (x.style.display === \"none\") {\n    x.style.display = \"block\";\n  } else {\n    x.style.display = \"none\";\n  }\n}\n<\/script><\/p>\n<div class=\"moc-toc hide-on-desktop hide-on-tablet\">\n<div><button onclick=\"X6m_Function()\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/toc2.svg\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"show or hide table of contents\"><\/button><\/p>\n<p>On this page<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<nav id=\"X6m\" style=\"display:none;\">\n<ul>\n<li class=\"toc-h2\"><a href=\"#Overview_of_the_Patella\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">Overview of the Patella<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"toc-h2\"><a href=\"#Common_Causes_of_Injury\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">Common Causes of Injury<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"toc-h2\"><a href=\"#Types_of_Fractures\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">Types of Fractures<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"toc-h2\"><a href=\"#Recovery_and_Rehabilitation\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">Recovery and Rehabilitation<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"toc-h2\"><a href=\"#Review_Questions\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">Review Questions<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"accordion\"><input id=\"transcript\" type=\"checkbox\" class=\"spoiler_button\" \/><label for=\"transcript\">Transcript<\/label>\n<div class=\"spoiler\" id=\"transcript-spoiler\">\n<p>Hi, and welcome to this review of patellar fractures!<\/p>\n<p>In this video, we\u2019ll quickly go over the anatomy of the patellar area and then discuss how patellar fractures happen and how different types of patellar fractures are managed.<\/p>\n<p>Let\u2019s get started!<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Overview_of_the_Patella\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Overview of the Patella<\/h2>\n<p>\nSo, firstly, let\u2019s remind ourselves of what the patella actually is. The patella, which is known as the kneecap, is a small, flat, circular bone that covers the knee joint. There are two main functions of the patella. The first is to give the quadriceps femoris muscles a mechanical advantage in extending the knee. The second is to protect the knee joint.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-87868\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Patellar-Fractures.png\" alt=\"Image of the patella, also known as the kneecap. It is a small, flat, circular bone that covers the knee joint.\" width=\"777\" height=\"437\" style=\"border: solid 1px grey\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Patellar-Fractures.png 1920w, https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Patellar-Fractures-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Patellar-Fractures-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Patellar-Fractures-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Patellar-Fractures-1536x864.png 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 777px) 100vw, 777px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Common_Causes_of_Injury\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Common Causes of Injury<\/h2>\n<p>\nThere are several different ways someone might cause trauma to their patella. They might have been involved in a car accident where the patella is forced forward against the dashboard. Perhaps they fell directly on the knee or some moving object hit their knee. <\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-87871\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Patellar-Fractures-2.png\" alt=\"Example of force breaking the patella\" width=\"777\" height=\"437\" style=\"border: solid 1px grey\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Patellar-Fractures-2.png 1920w, https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Patellar-Fractures-2-300x168.png 300w, https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Patellar-Fractures-2-1024x575.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Patellar-Fractures-2-768x431.png 768w, https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Patellar-Fractures-2-1536x862.png 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 777px) 100vw, 777px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Or, they might have experienced a sudden contraction of the quadriceps muscle in the knee, which can pull apart the patella. <\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-87874\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Patellar-Fractures-3.png\" alt=\"Example of quadriceps pulling apart the patella\" width=\"777\" height=\"437\" style=\"border: solid 1px grey\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Patellar-Fractures-3.png 1920w, https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Patellar-Fractures-3-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Patellar-Fractures-3-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Patellar-Fractures-3-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Patellar-Fractures-3-1536x864.png 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 777px) 100vw, 777px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Types_of_Fractures\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Types of Fractures<\/h2>\n<p>\nDepending on the trauma that occurred, there are a few different types of patellar fractures that may result. The first one we\u2019re going to look at is the \u201cnondisplaced fracture.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Nondisplaced\/Stable\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Nondisplaced\/Stable<\/h3>\n<p>\nA  nondisplaced or stable fracture is a break in the patella bone, but the bone continues to be aligned (or stable) and the pieces of the bone generally remain in contact with each other. If there is a space of separation in the bone, it is only a millimeter or two apart.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-87889\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Patellar-Fractures-4.png\" alt=\"Image of a nondisplaced or stable patellar fracture. The bone is still stable with the pieces of the bone intact.\" width=\"777\" height=\"437\" style=\"border: solid 1px grey\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Patellar-Fractures-4.png 1920w, https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Patellar-Fractures-4-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Patellar-Fractures-4-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Patellar-Fractures-4-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Patellar-Fractures-4-1536x864.png 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 777px) 100vw, 777px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>If the fracture is nondisplaced, the orthopedic doctor can align the bone with closed reduction or with a long leg cast or other immobilizer with the knee in full extension. Depending on the extent of the fracture, the patient might be able to bear weight on it immediately or have to keep weight off the leg for up to 6-8 weeks. X-rays of the area will diagnose the fracture and usually guide treatment.<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Displaced\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Displaced<\/h3>\n<p>\nIn a displaced fracture, the broken ends of the bone are separated and do not line up correctly. This separation could be vertical or transverse. The normally smooth joint surface may also be disrupted. This type of fracture often requires <strong>open-reduction internal fixation<\/strong> (ORIF) and continuous passive motion to manage properly.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-87895\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Patellar-Fractures-5.png\" alt=\"Image of a displaced fracture; this is when the broken ends of the bone are separated, and are not aligned.\" width=\"777\" height=\"437\" style=\"border: solid 1px grey\" \/><\/p>\n<p>If ORIF is being used to manage the fracture, the orthopedic surgeons will make an incision in the affected area, reduce the bone if necessary, realign it, and internally fix it in place with wires, pins, or screws.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-87904\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Patellar-Fractures-6.png\" alt=\"Example of what an Open-reduction internal fixation would look like. Screws, wires, and bands hold the kneecap together.\" width=\"777\" height=\"437\" style=\"border: solid 1px grey\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Patellar-Fractures-6.png 1920w, https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Patellar-Fractures-6-300x168.png 300w, https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Patellar-Fractures-6-1024x575.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Patellar-Fractures-6-768x431.png 768w, https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Patellar-Fractures-6-1536x862.png 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 777px) 100vw, 777px\" \/><\/p>\n<p> The purpose and goal of this procedure is for the patient to be able to regain or maintain use of the knee joint for bending, leg straightening, and walking. In rare cases, if the patella cannot be repaired this way, the patient\u2019s patella may be removed, which would affect normal movement.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-87925\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Patellar-Fractures-7.png\" alt=\"Example of a patellectomy. The broken patella is completely removed from the body.\" width=\"543.9\" height=\"305.9\" style=\"border: solid 1px grey\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Patellar-Fractures-7.png 1092w, https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Patellar-Fractures-7-300x297.png 300w, https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Patellar-Fractures-7-1024x1013.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Patellar-Fractures-7-768x760.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1092px) 100vw, 1092px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Appropriate physical therapy interventions for displaced and nondisplaced fractures are partial or weight-bearing, making sure the fracture is not stressed. For a displaced fracture, eventual active-assisted range of motion exercises may be required.<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Comminuted\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Comminuted<\/h3>\n<p>\nThe final type of patellar fracture we\u2019ll be looking at is the comminuted patella fracture. With this type of fracture, there are many breaks in the bone. The \u201cshattered\u201d bone can appear aligned (nondisplaced) or not aligned (displaced). <\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-87898\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Patellar-Fractures-8.png\" alt=\"Image of a comminuted patella fracture. The bone is shattered.\" width=\"543.9\" height=\"305.9\" style=\"border: solid 1px grey\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Patellar-Fractures-8.png 1087w, https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Patellar-Fractures-8-300x298.png 300w, https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Patellar-Fractures-8-1024x1017.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Patellar-Fractures-8-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Patellar-Fractures-8-768x763.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1087px) 100vw, 1087px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Comminuted patellar fractures are managed with ORIF, a partial or total patellectomy with quadriceps tendon repair, or immobilization using a long leg cast or brace or a posterior splint with the knee in full extension or minimal flexion.<\/p>\n<p>If the bone fragments are too small to be fixed back into place, the orthopedic surgeon will remove them. He or she will then attach the loose patellar tendon back to the remaining patellar bone. If the kneecap is broken in many pieces at its center and the pieces are separated, the orthopedic surgeon may use a combination of wires and screws to fix it.<\/p>\n<p>Removing small portions of the kneecap that cannot be reconstructed may also have positive results. Complete removal of the kneecap is a last resort in treating a comminuted fracture.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Recovery_and_Rehabilitation\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Recovery and Rehabilitation<\/h2>\n<p>\nRecovery from a patella fracture requires a few main points to be addressed. First and foremost is pain management. This can be done initially with ice and elevation and over-the-counter pain medications if the pain is not severe. For more severe pain, the doctor will prescribe something to manage the pain, which can last from days to weeks.<\/p>\n<p>Next to consider is rehabilitation. Because the leg may be immobilized for a period of time to allow healing, the patient will want to work on regaining motion, relieving stiffness, and getting back to moving through physical therapy, which should also include strengthening exercises around the knee joint. Regaining strength and mobility will take time and depend on the severity of the injury. <\/p>\n<hr>\n<h2><span id=\"Review_Questions\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Review Questions<\/h2>\n<p>\nAlright, before we go, let\u2019s go over a couple of review questions to see what you remember.<\/p>\n<p>1. Which type of fracture is being described here?<\/p>\n<div class=\"yellow-quote\">A break in the patella bone, but the bone continues to be stable<\/div>\n<ol style=\"list-style: upper-alpha;\">\n<li>Comminuted<\/li>\n<li>Displaced<\/li>\n<li>Nondisplaced<\/li>\n<li>Open<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<div style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\">\n   <button class=\"buttontranscript\" onClick=\"toggle('Answer1')\">Show Answer<\/button>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"Answer1\" class=\"showanswer\">\n   <strong>The correct answer is C!<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">A nondisplaced or stable fracture is a break in the patella bone, but the bone continues to be aligned (or stable) and the pieces of the bone generally remain in contact with each other.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\n2. True or false: Open reduction internal fixation is the most common way to manage nondisplaced patellar fractures.<\/p>\n<div style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\">\n   <button class=\"buttontranscript\" onClick=\"toggle('Answer2')\">Show Answer<\/button>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"Answer2\" class=\"showanswer\">\n   <strong>The correct answer is False!<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Open reduction internal fixation is not used to manage nondisplaced fractures but is often used to manage displaced and comminuted fractures.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\nThat\u2019s all for this review! Thanks for watching, and happy studying!<\/p>\n<ul class=\"citelist\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/orthoinfo.aaos.org\/en\/diseases--conditions\/patellar-kneecap-fractures\/\"target=\"_blank\">\u201cPatellar Fractures (Broken Kneecap) &#8211; OrthoInfo &#8211; AAOS.\u201d Aaos.org<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/s13018-019-1385-5\"target=\"_blank\">Sun, Yangyang, Kuisheng Sheng, Qinghu Li, Dawei Wang, and Dongsheng Zhou. \u201cManagement of Comminuted Patellar Fracture Fixation Using Modified Cerclage Wiring.\u201d Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research 14 (1)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"home-buttons\">\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/patient-care\/\">Return to Patient Care Videos<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><script>\nfunction toggle(obj) {\n          var obj=document.getElementById(obj);\n          if (obj.style.display == \"block\") obj.style.display = \"none\";\n          else obj.style.display = \"block\";\n}\n<\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Return to Patient Care Videos<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":100600,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":{"0":"post-1349","1":"page","2":"type-page","3":"status-publish","4":"has-post-thumbnail","6":"page_category-musculoskeletal-system-videos","7":"page_category-patient-care-videos","8":"page_category-video-pages-for-study-course-sidebar-ad","9":"page_type-video","10":"subject_matter-nursing"},"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1349","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1349"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1349\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":292292,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1349\/revisions\/292292"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/100600"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1349"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}