Fractured Knee Cap

The knee Cap is the triangular bone in front of the knee joint that protects the knee. Though the kneecap is not needed for walking or bending your leg, it makes your muscles more efficient and absorbs much of the stress between the upper and lower portions of the leg. A Fractured Knee Cap is usually caused by a direct blow to the knee cap or by falling on a bent kneel.

Symptoms of a Kneecap Fracture

• 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

Treatment of a kneecap fracture

Simple fractures in the knee cap are usually treated with Splinting. More serious breaks are treated with surgery to insure that the knee cap keeps it original form to prevent future problems.

• Immobilization will be necessary. A rigid cast will be used from the upper leg to the ankle.
• After the cast is removed, use frequent ice massage. Fill a large Styrofoam cup with water and freeze. Tear a small amount of foam from the top so ice protrudes. Massage firmly over the injured area in a circle about the size of a softball. Do this for 15 minutes at a time, 3 or 4 times a day, and before workouts or competition.
• Apply heat instead of ice, if it feels better. Use heat lamps, hot soaks, hot showers, heating pads, or heat liniments or ointments.
• Take whirlpool treatments, if available.