How long does it take to walk normally after a comminuted patellar fracture?

Written by Na Hong Wei
Orthopedics
Updated on August 31, 2024
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If the surgery is performed without any issues, you can start normal knee flexion and extension exercises about three days after the surgery. Then, about a week later, you can begin walking with the aid of crutches. At six weeks post-surgery, you should return to the hospital for a follow-up. If there is continuous callus formation along the fracture line, you can walk normally. However, you need to be cautious at this time, as the fracture healing is not very solid, and it is best to avoid vigorous activities. Activities like running and jumping should be postponed until about three months later. Therefore, for patellar comminuted fractures, you can generally walk normally between six to twelve weeks after the surgery.

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Written by Su Zhen Bo
Orthopedics
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Why are elderly people prone to fragility fractures?

In clinical settings, elderly individuals commonly experience comminuted fractures, primarily due to their reduced levels of physical activity, which can lead to the loss of proteins, calcium, minerals, and moisture in the bones. This reduces bone strength and density, and if they have osteoporosis, bones can easily break into pieces when subjected to external force. Therefore, it is crucial to apply proper treatment methods promptly after a comminuted fracture occurs. This can involve manual reduction, external fixation, or surgical treatment such as open reduction and internal fixation. Postoperatively, treatments like electrotherapy and physical therapy, along with oral calcium supplements and bone-healing medications, can facilitate recovery. Nutritionally, it is beneficial to consume foods rich in proteins and calcium to aid in the healing of fractures.

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Written by Wang Cheng Lin
Orthopedics
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Can a lumbar crush fracture cause paralysis?

Whether a lumbar burst fracture will cause paralysis mainly depends on the severity of the comminution and whether the fracture fragments protrude into the vertebral foramen, compressing the nerves. If it is simply a comminuted fracture and the fragments do not protrude posteriorly and do not compress the nerve roots, then it will not cause paralysis of the lower limbs. However, if the fracture fragments protrude backwards and compress the spinal nerves, or even damage the spinal nerves, the patient may experience complete loss of muscle strength and sensation in both lower limbs. In this case, emergency surgery is required to relieve this compression and reduce the pressure on the nerves, thereby alleviating the symptoms. If lower limb paralysis occurs, long-term oral medication to nourish the nerves is needed to help the nerves gradually recover. Therefore, whether a fracture can cause paralysis mainly depends on whether the nerve is compressed by the fracture fragments. If there is compression, it will result in complete loss of muscle strength and sensation in the patient's lower limbs. (Please take medication under the guidance of a professional physician.)

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Written by Lv Yao
Orthopedics
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How to treat a lumbar compression fracture

A comminuted fracture has occurred in the lumbar vertebrae, and the treatment method should be chosen based on the degree of displacement of the fracture, that is, the occupancy within the spinal canal and the extent of compression of the lumbar fracture. Generally speaking, if there is significant compression inside the spinal canal, and the height of the vertebral body of the lumbar spine is also greatly compromised, surgical intervention is necessary to restore the height of the vertebral body. If necessary, decompression inside the spinal canal should be performed to relieve pressure on the spinal cord, alleviate symptoms, and facilitate early functional recovery of the patient.

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Written by Wang Cheng Lin
Orthopedics
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Post-syndrome of comminuted femoral fracture

The main sequelae of comminuted femoral fractures are as follows: The first is a delay in healing and nonunion of the fracture ends. Due to the comminuted nature of the fracture, local blood circulation has been damaged, and even with surgery, it is difficult to restore circulation. This can lead to delayed healing and nonunion of the fracture ends, generally requiring observation for around one year. If fracture lines are still clearly visible after a year, this confirms a nonunion, necessitating further surgery and bone grafting to restore the healing of the fracture. The second, in cases of nonunion, is the possibility of plate fracture. Many patients, unable to endure extended bed rest, need to start weight-bearing walking. If the fracture ends have not healed and weight-bearing occurs, the body's full weight concentrates on the plate, leading to stress fractures of the plate and screws. Should such stress fractures occur, immediate surgical intervention is needed to replace the internal fixation.

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Written by Lv Yao
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Post-traumatic sequelae of femoral head comminuted fracture

A comminuted fracture generally refers to a fracture with more than three fragments. When a comminuted fracture occurs in the femoral head, it is also a type of intra-articular comminuted fracture. Generally speaking, after the fracture is reduced and stabilized, there can be some damage to the joint surface as well, leading to unevenness of the joint surface and a higher chance of developing postoperative traumatic arthritis. There is also a possibility that the comminution of the femoral head fracture could affect the blood supply to the femoral head, leading to ischemic necrosis of the femoral head. After treatment for the fracture injury, there will inevitably be some impact on postoperative function. Therefore, after a comminuted fracture of the femoral head, the first sequelae to appear is usually traumatic arthritis, followed by ischemic necrosis of the femoral head, and thirdly, symptoms of restricted movement in the hip joint may occur.