Patella Fracture: A patella fracture occurs when the patella breaks into two or more parts. This can occur from a direct impact, such as a fall on the knee or a bruise to the front of the knee. Depending on severity, treatment may include conservative measures or surgery.

Transverse Fractures: Transverse fractures include horizontal fractures across the patella. These fractures are often the result of direct force or trauma to the knee. Depending on the displacement and stability of the fracture, treatment may include realignment and fixation.

Vertical Fractures: Vertical fractures occur when the patella breaks along the superior-inferior axis. This type of fracture is less common, but can occur due to severe trauma, such as a fall from a height or a strong muscle contraction. Surgical intervention may be required for stabilization.

Comminuted Fracture: A comminuted fracture is characterized by the patella breaking into three or more pieces. This type of fracture is often associated with high-energy trauma, and due to the complexity of the fracture, surgical intervention may be required to reconstruct and stabilize the patella.

Stellate Fractures: Stellate Fractures, involves multiple fractures that begin at a central point and form a star-shaped pattern. These fractures usually occur as a result of significant force or impact being applied to the patella. Surgery may be required to restore structure and function to the patella.

Avulsion Fractures: Avulsion fractures occur when tendon or ligament forces pull a bone fragment away from the patella. This can occur due to sudden muscle contractions or forceful movements. Treatment may include realignment and fixation to ensure proper healing.

Marginal Fractures: Marginal fractures occur along the edge or edges of the patella. These fractures vary in size and severity, and treatment may include immobilization or surgery depending on the degree of displacement and stability.

Osteochondral Fractures: Osteochondral fractures damage both the cartilage surface and the underlying bone of the patella. These fractures can be more complex and require careful treatment to address both the bony and cartilage components. Surgical intervention may be required to restore joint function.

Causes for the Knee Fractures

• 1. Direct Impact: A direct blow or impact to the front of the knee, such as from a fall, sports injury, or motor vehicle accident, can cause a patella fracture. If a strong impact is applied to the patella, it may break or shatter.
• 2. Falls: Falls, especially those that land directly on the knee, can cause patella fractures. This often happens when you lose your balance, slip, or trip, which puts a lot of force on your knee joint.
• 3. Sports Injuries: Sports-related activities, especially those involving high-impact or contact sports, can increase the risk of knee fractures. A sudden twist, direct collision, or fall during sports such as soccer, football, or basketball can cause a patella fracture.
• 4. Car Accidents: Car accidents and other motor vehicle collisions can place significant forces on the knee joint, potentially causing fractures. Direct trauma to the knee from a dashboard impact or an accident can cause a patella fracture.
• 5. Improper Jumping or Landing: Activities that involve jumping or landing with excessive force can lead to knee fractures. Improper technique or landing on hard surfaces can cause a patella fracture.
• 6. Muscle Contraction: Strong contraction of the quadriceps muscle, which is connected to the patella via the patellar tendon, can cause a fracture. This can occur during activities that require sudden and forceful leg movements.
• 7. Osteoporosis: Diseases that weaken bones, such as: B. Osteoporosis can make you more susceptible to bone fractures. For people with low bone density, even relatively minor trauma or falls can lead to knee injuries.

How the Surgery of Knee Fracture is carried 

Surgical treatment of knee fractures, particularly patella fractures, involves a variety of procedures aimed at realigning the broken bone, stabilizing the fracture, and promoting proper healing. The specific steps depend on the type and severity of the fracture. An overview of the knee fracture surgical procedure is as follows:

1. Preoperative evaluation: Before surgery, a physical examination, imaging tests (X-rays, CT scans); Diagnostics History report. This helps the orthopedic surgeon plan the surgical approach based on the specific characteristics of the fracture.
2. Anesthesia: Anesthesia is typically administered to keep patients comfortable and pain-free during surgical procedures. Anesthesia choices include general or local anesthesia, depending on the patient’s health status and the type of surgery.
3. Incision and Exposure: An incision is made above the knee to allow the surgeon access to the fractured patella. The size and location of the incision will depend on the type of fracture and the surgical approach chosen.
4. Fracture Reduction: The surgeon carefully realigns the fractured patella fragments to restore the normal anatomy of the patella. This may involve manipulating the bone to move it into the correct position.
5. Fixation: Fixation techniques are used to stabilize the fractured patella and maintain proper alignment during the healing process. This may include the use of various devices such as screws, wires, and plates. The choice of fixation method depends on the specific characteristics of the fracture.
6. Sutures and Closure: Once the fractured patella is stable and aligned, the surgeon uses sutures to close the incision. In some cases, additional measures may be used, such as the use of absorbable sutures or staples.
7. Postoperative Care: After surgery, the patient will be monitored in the recovery area before being transferred to the hospital room. Postoperative care includes pain management, monitoring for complications, and initiating rehabilitation strategies to promote early mobility.
8. Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy: Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy play an important role in the recovery process. Patients are guided through exercises and movements to gradually restore strength, flexibility, and function to the knee. This stage of treatment is important to optimize long-term results.
9. Follow-up Appointments: Periodic follow-up appointments with your orthopedic surgeon will be arranged to monitor healing progress, assess fixation stability, and make any necessary adjustments to your rehabilitation plan.  (The process may vary from patient to patient)

 Symptoms of a Knee fracture

• Pain around the patella or in the knee
• Bruising
• Even if a patella fracture is relatively minor, swelling may be severe
• Unable to bend, straighten, or hold the knee Straight leg
• Unable to bear weight
• Disfigured knee (especially in severe fractures)
• Open fracture of the patella, where the bone protrudes from the skin of the kneeIf you are experiencing any of the the symptoms, visit Dr. Barik’s Ortho care Clinic.