Direct trauma: often comminuted but minimally displaced; associated with fractures of the tibia, femur, and hip as well as posterior hip dislocation
Indirect trauma: exerti...
Transverse (50–80%): Usually displaced, of the middle and lower thirds in the adult population, most patellar fractures sustained during sports participation are of the transverse type 1[C]....
Acute management:
Analgesia
Aspiration of hemarthrosis may be followed by injection of local anesthesia to facilitate assessment of the extensor mechanism. Presence of fatty globules is indica...
Immobilization: long leg cast for nonoperative treatment and for 3 to 6 wk after partial or total patellectomy; immediate joint motion if intraoperative fracture stability is achieved 1[C...
Most athletes with patellar fractures return to play the following season (3 to 6 mo) with little residual deficit. Return of function is more limited with comminuted, high-impact mech...
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