Patellar Fracture Repair
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 6, 2024.
AMBULATORY CARE:
What you need to know about patellar fracture repair:
Patellar fracture repair is surgery to repair a fractured (broken) and dislocated patella (kneecap).
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How to prepare for patellar fracture repair:
- Your surgeon will tell you how to prepare. Arrange for someone to drive you home after your surgery. This person will need to stay with you for 24 hours to make sure you are okay. Your surgeon may tell you not to eat or drink anything after midnight, on the night before your surgery.
- You may need to wear a splint or brace on your leg until surgery. This helps decrease movement and helps prevent more injury to your kneecap.
- You may need an x-ray, CT scan, or MRI before surgery. Your surgeon may use these tests to help plan your surgery.
- Tell your surgeon about all your current medicines, including any herbs or supplements. Your surgeon will tell you if you need to stop any medicine for surgery, and when to stop. Your surgeon will tell you which medicines to take or not take on the day of surgery.
- Tell your surgeon about any allergies you have, including to medicines or anesthesia. Tell healthcare providers if you or anyone in your family has had a problem with anaesthesia in the past.
- Make a list of questions you may have about your surgery and care.
What will happen during patellar fracture repair:
- You may be given general anaesthesia to keep you asleep and free from pain during surgery. You may instead be given spinal anaesthesia to numb the surgery area. With spinal anaesthesia, you may still feel pressure or pushing during surgery, but you should not feel pain.
- Your surgeon will decide on the best way to repair your kneecap:
- An arthroscopic reduction and fixation means the surgeon makes small incisions over your patella. The surgeon then puts a camera (scope) and other small tools through the incisions to repair your patella.
- An open reduction and fixation means the surgeon makes a large incision over your knee.
- A partial or total patellectomy means your surgeon makes an incision over your knee. Your surgeon will then remove part or all your patella.
- The fractured pieces of your kneecap will be put back in their correct places. Your surgeon may use wires, screws, or other materials to hold the pieces together. The incisions are closed with stitches and covered with bandages. Bandages help keep the area clean and dry to prevent infection.
What to expect after patella fracture repair:
Healthcare providers will watch you closely for any problems. When your providers see that you are ready, you may be allowed to go home. If you are staying in the hospital, you will be taken to your room. Do not get out of bed until your provider says it is okay.
- Medicines may be given to relieve pain or to prevent an infection.
- You will have a splint, brace, or cast on your knee. This will protect your kneecap and limit movement so it can heal.
- Follow your surgeon's instructions about knee movement. This will help prevent your kneecap from moving out of place after surgery. You may not be able to use your leg to walk right after surgery. You may need crutches or a cane.
- A physical therapist will give you exercises to strengthen your upper leg muscles.
Risks of patella fracture repair:
You may bleed more than expected or develop an infection. The hardware in your knee may break or come loose. You may have stiffness in your knee after your kneecap has healed. Scar tissue may form on or under your skin where you had surgery. You may have less movement and strength in your knee and leg. Your bones may not heal properly after surgery. You may develop a blood clot in your leg. This may become life-threatening.
Call your local emergency number (911 in the US) or have someone call if:
- You feel lightheaded, short of breath, and have chest pain.
- You cough up blood.
Seek care immediately if:
- Your foot or toes are swollen, cold, numb, or they turn white or blue.
- Blood soaks through your bandage.
- Your stitches come apart.
- Your leg or wound feels warm, tender, and painful. It may look swollen and red.
- You have a fever.
- You have pus coming from your wound.
- Your cast or splint breaks or gets damaged.
- The hardware in your knee is poking you or is painful.
- You fall and injure the knee that you had surgery on.
Call your surgeon or doctor if:
- Your knee pain gets worse or does not go away, even after treatment.
- You have questions or concerns about your condition or care.
Medicines:
You may need any of the following:
- Blood thinners help prevent blood clots. Clots can cause strokes, heart attacks, and death. Many types of blood thinners are available. Your healthcare provider will give you specific instructions for the type you are given. The following are general safety guidelines to follow while you are taking a blood thinner:
- Watch for bleeding and bruising. Watch for bleeding from your gums or nose. Watch for blood in your urine and bowel movements. Use a soft washcloth on your skin, and a soft toothbrush to brush your teeth. This can keep your skin and gums from bleeding. If you shave, use an electric shaver. Do not play contact sports.
- Tell your dentist and other healthcare providers that you take a blood thinner. Wear a bracelet or necklace that says you take this medicine.
- Do not start or stop any other medicines or supplements unless your healthcare provider tells you to. Many medicines and supplements cannot be used with blood thinners.
- Take your blood thinner exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider. Do not skip does or take less than prescribed. Tell your provider right away if you forget to take your blood thinner, or if you take too much.
- Prescription pain medicine may be given. Ask your healthcare provider how to take this medicine safely. Some prescription pain medicines contain acetaminophen. Do not take other medicines that contain acetaminophen without talking to your healthcare provider. Too much acetaminophen may cause liver damage. Prescription pain medicine may cause constipation. Ask your healthcare provider how to prevent or treat constipation.
- NSAIDs , such as ibuprofen, help decrease swelling, pain, and fever. This medicine is available with or without a doctor's order. NSAIDs can cause stomach bleeding or kidney problems in certain people. If you take blood thinner medicine, always ask your healthcare provider if NSAIDs are safe for you. Always read the medicine label and follow directions.
- Take your medicine as directed. Contact your healthcare provider if you think your medicine is not helping or if you have side effects. Tell your provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Keep a list of the medicines, vitamins, and herbs you take. Include the amounts, and when and why you take them. Bring the list or the pill bottles to follow-up visits. Carry your medicine list with you in case of an emergency.
Care for your wound and brace, cast, or splint:
- Wear loose-fitting clothing over your legs. Check the skin around the device every day. Do not put any sharp or pointed objects inside the cast. Do not push or lean on any part of the cast or splint because it may break.
- Do not get your brace, cast, or splint wet. When it is okay to bathe, cover the brace, cast, or splint with 2 plastic bags. Tape the bags above the device to prevent water from getting in. Keep your knee out of the water as much as possible. Dry the area and put on new, clean bandages as directed. Change your bandages when they get wet or dirty. Do not put powders or lotions over the area. Check the area every day for signs of infection, such as swelling, redness, or pus.
- Use your crutches or cane as directed. Follow instructions on how much weight to put on your injured leg.
Self-care:
- Apply ice on your knee to decrease swelling and pain. Use an ice pack or put crushed ice in a plastic bag. Cover the bag with a towel before you apply it to your knee. Apply ice for 15 to 20 minutes every hour or as directed.
- Apply heat on your knee to decrease pain and muscle spasms. Apply heat for 20 to 30 minutes every 2 hours for as many days as directed.
- Elevate your knee above the level of your heart as often as you can. This will help decrease swelling and pain. Prop your lower leg on pillows or blankets to keep it elevated comfortably. Do not put the pillow directly below your knee.
- Eat a variety of healthy foods. Healthy foods include fruits, vegetables, whole-grain breads, low-fat dairy products, beans, lean meats, and fish. Ask if you need to be on a special diet.
- Drink liquids as directed. Ask how much liquid to drink each day and which liquids are best for you. Liquids help prevent constipation caused by decreased movement and any pain medicine you are taking.
Follow up with your surgeon or doctor as directed:
Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your visits.
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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.
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