The kneecap, or patella, is a round bone that sits in front of the knee joint. It helps the thigh muscles straighten the knee by acting like a pulley between the muscles and the shinbone.
Kneecap Fractures (Patella Fractures)
A kneecap fracture often happens from a direct fall onto the knee. It can cause pain, bruising, swelling, and difficulty bending or straightening the knee.
Treatment for a kneecap fracture depends on how severe the break is. Some fractures can heal on their own when the leg is immobilized in a cast, while others need surgery to realign and stabilize the broken bone fragments.
Kneecap fracture surgery involves the use of metal wires, screws, plates, and/or thick suture to hold the broken bone fragments together during healing.
During kneecap fracture surgery, an incision is made along the front of the knee. This allows a surgeon to access the kneecap and stabilize the broken bone fragments with metal implants.
