What is patellar avulsion fracture?
Patellar sleeve (avulsion) fractures are rare injuries occurring in the skeletally immature population. This is an important diagnosis as the displaced bone-forming tissue will continue to grow and ossify, enlarging, and possibly duplicating the patella.
Are avulsion fractures common in children?
Avulsion fractures are more common in children due to their growing bodies. The part of the bone where growth takes place, called the growth plate, may be weaker than other areas of bone. When tendons or ligaments connect near the growth plate, they may fracture the bone when a child suffers an injury.
Can a patella fracture heal without surgery?
Stable patella fracture: In a stable fracture, also called a “nondisplaced” fracture, the broken pieces of your bone remain essentially in the right place. They may still be connected to each other, or they may be separated by a millimeter or two. This type of fracture usually heals well without surgery.
Is a patella fracture a serious injury?
A patellar fracture is a serious injury that can make it difficult or even impossible to straighten your knee or walk. Some simple patellar fractures can be treated by wearing a cast or splint until the bone heals. In most patellar fractures, however, the pieces of bone move out of place when the injury occurs.
Do you need a cast for an avulsion fracture?
An avulsion fracture to your foot or ankle may require a cast or walking boot. In rare cases, if the bone fragment and main bone are too far apart to fuse naturally, surgery may be necessary to reunite them.
Can you walk on a fractured knee cap?
In most cases, you should still be able to walk with a fractured kneecap while the knee is immobilized and healing. Your care team will recommend exercises and weight-bearing restrictions appropriate for each stage of recovery.
How is a chipped bone in the knee treated?
How is it treated? You will need to rest your knee and avoid activities that cause pain until the symptoms are gone. This may take several weeks. Sometimes surgery is needed to remove the fragments and repair the surface of the thighbone or kneecap.
How do you rehab a fractured patella?
Your physical therapist may recommend incorporating simple stretching and strengthening movements into a home routine in between sessions. Physical therapy may continue once a week for six to eight weeks or until the patella fracture is healed completely.
How long does an avulsion fracture of the 5th metatarsal take to heal?
You have sustained a fracture to the base of the 5th metatarsal of your foot, which is known as an avulsion fracture. Please see the picture below to understand where this injury is. This normally takes approximately 6 weeks to unite (heal) although pain and swelling can be ongoing for 3-6 months.