How do you know if you have a shattered kneecap?
What are the symptoms of a fractured kneecap?
- Severe pain in and around the kneecap.
- Swelling.
- Pain when moving the knee in both directions.
- Difficulty extending the leg or doing a straight-leg raise.
- A deformed appearance of the knee due to the fractured pieces.
- Tenderness when pressing on the kneecap.
How painful is a shattered kneecap?
Pain: Patella fractures are generally quite uncomfortable. Keeping the knee straight can help significantly with discomfort, while bending the joint is typically very painful. Swelling: Swelling and bruising around the front of the knee is typical of a patella fracture.
Can you break your kneecap if you fall on it?
A patellar fracture is a break in the patella, or kneecap, the small bone that sits at the front of your knee. Because the patella acts as a shield for your knee joint, it is vulnerable to fracture if you fall directly onto your knee or hit it against the dashboard in a vehicle collision.
What happens when you fall hard on your kneecap?
A knee contusion or bruise is a common injury if you fall on a hard surface. The impact can cause a blood vessel or capillary in the skin or muscle underneath to leak blood into the surrounding area, creating the black and blue sign of a bruise.
How long does it take to recover from a shattered kneecap?
Depending on your age and health, it takes about three to six months to recover from a broken kneecap, but very severe patellar injuries may take longer. For a time, you may be advised to avoid climbing stairs, squatting, kneeling or other activities that place strain on the knee joint.
Can you bend your knee with a broken patella?
A patella fracture is a serious injury, which can impact your ability to bend or straighten your knee. Some patella fractures are simple, but this small bone is also capable of breaking into many pieces.
What should you do if you fall on your knee cap?
How are contusions treated?
- Rest. Rest the area whenever possible.
- Ice. Apply a cold compress to the area to reduce swelling.
- Compress. Compress the bruised area with a wrap or bandage to reduce swelling.
- Elevate. If possible, raise the affected area above your heart.
What damage can you do by falling on your knee?
If someone falls forward after a slip, they are likely to land on their knees. The sheer force of this could actually cause the kneecap or the knee joint to fracture. Unfortunately, patellar fractures (fractures to the kneecap) are very serious injuries. In most cases, they will require surgery in order to heal.
Can a patella fracture heal itself?
If it is a stable fracture, your bone can be expected to heal without surgery. Surgery: If your bone pieces are displaced, they will need to be put back together in surgery.
What happens when the patella is broken?
In some fractures, the top or, more commonly, the bottom of the patella is broken into several small pieces. This type of fracture occurs when the kneecap is first pulled apart from the injury, and is then crushed when the patient falls on it.
What is a patellar fracture?
A patellar fracture is a break in the patella, or kneecap, the small bone that sits at the front of your knee. Because the patella acts as a shield for your knee joint, it is vulnerable to fracture if you fall directly onto your knee or hit it against the dashboard in a vehicle collision.
What is an acute patella injury?
An acute patella injury is an injury to the kneecap or patella from a direct blow or fall onto the knee.
Can a football boot cause a patella fracture?
Direct impact from a football boot, hockey stick or other hard objects can cause a number of injuries including fracture of the patella, dislocation of the patella and damage to the cartilage under the patella (see CMP ). If a fracture of the patella is suspected then an X-ray should be done.