Acute Patellar Injury

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. Direct impact from a football boot, hockey stick or other hard object 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. If there is no fracture then the injury is usually treated conservatively with rest, cold therapy and NSAID's non steroidal anti inflamatory medication (such as ibuprofen). In other words rest and apply cold therapy until it is better. Taping the patella away from any sore spots is also done (see CMP for more information on taping techniques) Activities to avoid are squatting or walking down stairs which place pressure on the patella.

Fracture of the Patella

It is important though that a correct assessment of the X-ray is made as some patella's have a natural split in them anyway - called a bipartite patella. If a fracture is confirmed and it is not a complete fracture then treatment would involve applying a splint with the leg straight (in extension). As the fracture heals over the following weeks the amount of bend in the leg allowed is increased.

Fractures which are complete or nearly complete will require surgery and fixation of the patella. Surgical repair to the quadriceps muscles may also be required. Rehabilitation following surgical repair is similar to that above.

Dislocation of the patella

For information on patellar dislocation visit our patellar dislocation page.

The knee and patella

See also:

• Cold therapy
  
  
• NSAID's
  
  
• Knee pain forum - ask our experts!

Similar / related injuries

• Dislocation of the patella
  
  
• Articular cartilage damage