What is a patellar fracture?
A patellar (pah-TEL-er) fracture (FRAK-chur) is a break in your child’s kneecap. The patella is a thick, triangular bone that protects the front of your child’s knee joint. The patella also helps your child’s thigh muscles to straighten out the knee. Patella fractures may be a single crack or break. This may or may not move the patella out of its original position. The patella may also break up into many pieces. Patellar fractures may also affect the tendons, ligaments, and blood vessels around the affected knee. This is called a complicated fracture and often needs immediate treatment, such as surgery. With treatment, such as surgery and medicine, your child will usually be able to return to his previous activities.
