Patella Fracture (Broken Kneecap)

Broken kneecap care with Dr. Steven Ward in Tucson and Oro Valley — a brace for stable breaks, and surgical fixation when the pieces have pulled apart, so you can straighten the knee again.

Call 520-881-1394
2–4 weeksTypical time the knee is kept straight after surgery
Brace lockedMost people can put full weight on the leg with the brace locked straight
3–6 monthsTypical return to normal activities

Typical ranges for general education. Dr. Ward’s plan for you may differ.

What it treats

The kneecap shields the front of the knee and connects the thigh muscles to the tibia. It usually breaks from a fall directly onto the knee, a hard blow, or hitting the dashboard in a vehicle collision. A sudden, forceful thigh muscle contraction can also pull it apart.

  • Stable fractures — the pieces stay together or barely separated
  • Displaced fractures — the pieces pull apart and the joint surface is uneven
  • Comminuted fractures — the bone breaks into several pieces
  • Open fractures — the skin is broken over the fracture and urgent cleaning is needed

Symptoms include pain, swelling, and bruising at the front of the knee, and trouble straightening the knee, lifting the leg straight, or walking. X-rays confirm the fracture; a CT scan helps plan surgery for breaks with many pieces.

Is surgery right for you?

If the pieces have not moved out of place and you can still straighten the knee, the fracture often heals without surgery:

  • A cast, splint, or brace that keeps the knee straight
  • Weight-bearing as your fracture allows; with some fractures, no weight is allowed for 6–8 weeks
  • Follow-up X-rays to check healing

Displaced fractures usually need surgery, because the strong thigh muscles pull the pieces apart and they may not heal. Open fractures are treated urgently. If the skin is only scraped, Dr. Ward may wait for it to heal before operating.

How the surgery is done

Through an incision at the front of the knee, Dr. Ward puts the pieces back in line and holds them in place. The method depends on the fracture:

  • Two-part (transverse) fractures — pins with a figure-of-eight wire (tension band), screws, strong sutures, or small plates and screws
  • Fractures in many pieces — a combination of wires, screws, sutures, or a plate
  • Small pieces that cannot be fixed — removed, with the tendon reattached to the remaining kneecap; removing the whole kneecap is rare

The metal can sometimes irritate the front of the knee. If it does, it can be removed once the fracture has fully healed.

What to expect long term

Many people have some front-of-knee pain, stiffness, or thigh weakness after a kneecap fracture, and arthritis behind the kneecap can develop over time. Committing to therapy helps the most. Dr. Ward may suggest limiting repeated deep squatting or kneeling to protect the knee.

Recovery overview

Typical ranges after surgery. Severe fractures can take longer, and Dr. Ward’s plan for you may differ.

Weeks 0–4: straight Weeks 4–12: bend & strengthen Months 3–6: normal activity

Weeks 0–4

  • Brace or immobilizer locked straight, usually for 2–4 weeks
  • Most people can put full weight on the leg with the brace locked straight
  • Ice and elevation for pain and swelling; quadriceps exercises as directed

Weeks 4–12

  • The brace is unlocked in steps so the knee can bend a little more at a time
  • Physical therapy restores motion and strengthens the leg
  • Follow-up X-rays to confirm healing

Months 3–6

  • Most people return to normal activities within 3–6 months
  • Strength and endurance keep improving after that
  • More severe fractures can take longer

When to call the clinic

Call 520-881-1394 if you notice any of the following after surgery or while you are recovering:

  • A fever of 101°F or higher, or chills
  • Redness spreading around an incision, or drainage that is cloudy, foul-smelling, or keeps soaking the dressing after the first few days
  • New or worsening numbness, tingling, or weakness in the leg or foot once the anesthesia has worn off, or a foot that turns pale, blue, or cold
  • Pain that is not controlled by your prescribed medication, ice, elevation, and rest
  • Pain, swelling, or tenderness in the calf that is new or getting worse

It is normal for the knee to be swollen, bruised, and sore for a while, and for the leg to feel numb or weak until a nerve block or spinal anesthetic wears off. Use your crutches, walker, or brace as directed. Call if something feels different from what you were told to expect.

Call 911 or go to the nearest ER

for chest pain, shortness of breath, or trouble breathing. These can be signs of a blood clot in the lungs and need emergency care.

Questions about your recovery plan?

If something does not match the instructions you were given, call the office. Dr. Ward or one of his physician assistants will get back to you.

Related resources

Knee post-op hub

Knee arthroscopy and knee replacement packets, rehab protocols, and anatomy guides.

Open page

Exercise guides

Printable home exercise programs to use with your physical therapist.

Open page

Knee arthroscopy & meniscus resection

Dr. Ward’s knee arthroscopy page, including his meniscus resection rehab protocol.

Open page

Physical therapy locations

Find a physical therapy clinic near you in Tucson and Oro Valley.

Open page

OrthoInfo: Patellar fractures

Patient education on broken kneecaps from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

Visit OrthoInfo

Schedule a visit

Call 520-881-1394 and we will find a time that works.

Call 520-881-1394

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