A broken kneecap from a crash: straightening the leg and walking again
An orthopedic trauma surgeon on patella fractures
Hitting a dashboard can break your kneecap, also called the patella. It sits at the front of the knee. It also helps your thigh muscles straighten your leg. [1]
So a break can affect the joint surface and your ability to lift your leg while keeping it straight. Some of these breaks heal in a brace or cast. Others need surgery to put the pieces back in place and restore the knee’s ability to straighten. [1]
Learn about the break and the straightening test
Ask whether the pieces have pulled apart and whether the joint surface is involved. Find out whether you can straighten the knee with your own muscles. Ask whether the skin was cut or badly scraped. [1]
Find out what the X ray showed. Ask whether another image will check that the pieces are staying in place. If you had surgery, keep a copy of the repair summary. [1]
Get your brace rules in detail
A brace may hold your knee straight while it heals. Ask whether it must be locked when you walk, sleep or move in and out of a bed or chair. Find out how much weight you can put on the leg and when you can start bending the knee. [1]
Have a therapist show you how to get in and out of a chair and handle stairs safely. Bending the knee before the plan allows can strain the break or the repair. [1]
Keep an eye on the skin, the wound and how the knee works
Call your care team if the brace rubs your skin, the wound drains, you have a fever or the swelling grows. Get urgent care for a cold or pale foot, new weakness or numbness, or severe pain that keeps getting worse. Let the team know if you still can’t straighten your knee by the time they expected you to. [1]
Questions for your trauma surgeon
- Is the bone lined up, and can the knee straighten the way it should?
- When can I bend my knee and put weight on my leg?
- What will my next image and therapy visit decide?
Put your brace settings in writing
Write down your brace settings and your walking limit. Keep that note next to your discharge instructions. [1]
Sources and further reading
This article offers general education from an orthopedic trauma point of view. Some kneecap fractures need surgery. Your own orders for the brace, bending and weight bearing come before any general advice.
Keep learning
Safe Driving Resource Center
Guides, self-checks and articles for drivers, parents of new drivers, and families recovering after a crash.
