How to care for a patellar fracture

Written by Lv Yao
Orthopedics
Updated on September 22, 2024
00:00
00:00

A patellar fracture occurs, the first step is to immobilize the patellofemoral joint. During treatment, the primary goal is to prevent the formation of lower limb thrombosis. Therefore, early on, patients can be actively guided to contract the quadriceps and calf triceps muscles, while also performing dorsiflexion and flexion exercises of the ankle joint to avoid ankle stiffness. As the condition stabilizes, a cushion can be placed under the knee joint to allow for active flexion of the knee. If the fracture has stabilized, the patient can sit at the edge of the bed and let the knee naturally flex downward. If there is difficulty, the healthy limb can be used to help push and squeeze the injured limb to achieve a flexion close to ninety degrees. Patients can also lie in bed, hug their thighs with both hands, and flex the knee joint beyond ninety degrees to enhance this type of knee exercise.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Lv Yao
Orthopedics
34sec home-news-image

Does a fracture hurt?

Fractures refer to the disruption of the continuity and integrity of the bone, which can lead to symptoms such as localized pain, swelling, deformity, and even limited mobility. Therefore, pain is a primary symptom of fractures. Due to the displacement of fracture ends and the irritation of nerves around the periosteum, severe pain can occur. After a fracture, it is important to immobilize the affected area to avoid exacerbating the symptoms during transportation or movement, and immobilization can also help reduce localized pain.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Wang Cheng Lin
Orthopedics
59sec home-news-image

What are the symptoms of a fracture?

After a fracture, three characteristic manifestations occur. The first one is abnormal movement. This abnormal movement is due to the formation of an unusual activity of the fracture ends in the affected limb, known as abnormal movement. The second one is called deformity, which is also due to a significant deformity in the affected limb after the fracture ends. The third one is called bone crepitus, also known as bone rubbing sound, which is the sound produced when the fracture ends rub against each other. These three are specific signs of a fracture. In addition to these three, there will also be severe pain in the affected limb, and this pain is very intense, rendering the limb immobile. Secondly, there will be obvious swelling, which is caused by bleeding in the medullary cavity of the fracture ends. The third is functional impairment, as the affected limb will definitely be immobile after the fracture.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Lv Yao
Orthopedics
50sec home-news-image

Is the fracture serious?

A fracture is when the integrity and continuity of the bone is compromised, resulting in symptoms such as pain, swelling, limited mobility, and deformity. The severity of a fracture depends on the extent of bone displacement, the location of the fracture, and whether there is associated damage to vital organs, blood vessels, or nerves. If the fracture is a simple one with minor displacement, it generally is not very serious. Appropriate repositioning can be selected, followed by brace support or plaster cast external fixation to facilitate bone healing. If the fracture is accompanied by significant damage to important blood vessels, nerves, or organs, and there are multiple fractures, this type of fracture is considered more serious. It could lead to shock from bleeding caused by the fracture, which can be life-threatening.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Ying Peng
Orthopedics
40sec home-news-image

How long to stay in bed with a rib fracture?

Rib fractures are very common clinically. After a rib fracture, it is necessary to rest in bed, immobilize, and reduce activity, otherwise excessive pulling of the ribs will cause pain. Generally, the bed rest period is about 10-14 days. Generally, after two weeks of treatment, the ribs will form fibrous connections and no longer cause severe pain. After two weeks, appropriate activity out of bed can be resumed. At the same time, oral antibiotics can be taken to prevent infection, as well as medications that promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis to enhance the absorption of the hematoma.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Cheng Bin
Orthopedics
44sec home-news-image

Symptoms of clavicle fracture

Typically, patients with a clavicle fracture will exhibit localized swelling and pain, along with subcutaneous bruising. There is limited shoulder lifting ability and pressing on the area can cause severe tenderness. There may also be palpable grinding or sensation of the bones rubbing together, and abnormal movement at the fracture site. These are common clinical symptoms of a clavicle fracture, and a diagnosis can be confirmed with a standard X-ray. In cases of severe misalignment of a clavicle fracture where manual reduction fails, it is necessary to actively pursue surgical treatment with open reduction and internal fixation, typically using Kirschner wires or steel plate screws for internal fixation.