Minneapolis Patella Fracture Lawyer

The patella is one of three bones that make up the knee joint, providing strength when the knee joint is extended. A patella fracture most often occurs in slip and fall accidents or in a car or truck crash.

Patella Fracture

The basic means of sustaining a patella fracture are direct trauma, indirect trauma, or a combination of the two.

Direct trauma may be a direct blow from a slip and fall accident or when the knee hits the dashboard in a motor vehicle crash. The patella sustains most of the force of a direct blow and can result in multiple fractures. Direct blows that are intense enough to fracture the patella cause significant articular cartilage damage, which invariably leads to post-traumatic osteoarthrosis.

Indirect trauma involves muscle trauma where there is rapid flexion of the knee pulling against a contracted quadriceps. Indirect trauma rarely results in multiple fractures. It is usually a simple fracture with little displacement and minimal articular cartilage damage.

If a patella fracture is suspected, x-rays will be taken. A straight leg raise test needs to be done at that time, too. Holding the leg straight, the patient needs to raise their foot off the bed and hold it in the air. This checks the function of the quadriceps muscle and its attachment to the shin bone. Surgery may not be required if a straight leg raise can be performed. The knee will be immobilized with a brace or long leg cast.

If the leg cannot be raised, it means there has been disruption of the quadriceps tendon, patella, or patellar tendon. Surgery will probably be necessary to align and secure the fracture with a combination of pins, screws, and wires. If there is a small fragment, it may be removed.

There are some significant complications with patella fracture surgery. They include:

• metal implant is painful
• stiffness in the joint
• osteoarthrosis
• infection
• nonunion
• chondromalacia

Minneapolis Patella Fracture Lawyer

If you have suffered a patella fracture due to the negligence of another, you may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, physical therapy, job retraining, wage loss, and pain and suffering. Contact a Minneapolis Patella Fracture Lawyer or call 612-362-0000.