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 Na Hong Wei
Orthopedics
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How long after a patellar comminuted fracture can one start walking?

Patellar comminuted fractures generally require surgical treatment. If the surgery goes well, patients can start moving around with the aid of crutches one week after the surgery. Initially, changing positions is not allowed. Generally, patients can start by placing the toes on the ground two weeks post-surgery, followed by the middle part of the foot, and finally the heel. This progression occurs from two to six weeks after the surgery.

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Written by Na Hong Wei
Orthopedics
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How long does it take to walk normally after a comminuted patellar fracture?

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 Wang Cheng Lin
Orthopedics
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How long does it take to recover after surgery for a comminuted fracture of the humerus?

Generally speaking, the recovery time after surgery for a comminuted fracture of the humerus is about three months, but this can vary from person to person. If the patient is young, the healing of the fracture ends might be quicker, potentially achieving bony union within two to three months. However, if the patient is elderly, their healing might be slower, possibly requiring three to four months to achieve bony union. Therefore, it is necessary for patients with fractures to regularly take X-rays to observe whether the fracture ends have achieved bony union. Typically, they should visit the hospital to get an X-ray about every two weeks to check on the growth of the fracture ends.

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Written by Wang Cheng Lin
Orthopedics
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How long does it take for a comminuted tibial fracture to heal?

The healing time for comminuted fractures of the tibia generally takes about three months, but it still depends on the method of treatment. Generally, there are two methods for treating a comminuted fracture of the tibia: The first method is conservative treatment, which involves using casts or braces to immobilize the affected limb. Generally, the healing time for this method is about three months. The second method is used when there is significant displacement at the fracture site, such as obvious shortening, rotation, or deformity, which then requires surgical treatment. After surgery, the healing time may take about three to four months. Additionally, severe comminuted fractures can disrupt the blood circulation at the fracture site, leading to poor local circulation and a condition called delayed union, where healing might take about six months. Another scenario involves extremely severe disruption of the blood circulation at the fracture site, leading to nonunion where the fracture ends do not heal together at all. Generally, this requires about a year of observation. If after one year the fracture ends still haven't healed, a second surgery might be necessary. However, for most comminuted fractures of the tibia, the general healing time is about three to four months.

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Written by Na Hong Wei
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Will a comminuted fracture of the tibia cause limping?

If a comminuted tibial fracture is treated correctly, with proper alignment and the shortening kept within one centimeter, limping will absolutely not occur. The reason for limping after surgery for a comminuted fracture is due to unequal leg lengths. There are many reasons for differences in leg length, but no matter the cause, if the difference is less than 1 centimeter, a person will absolutely not limp. However, if it is less than two centimeters, or more, it then becomes apparent that one leg is longer and the other shorter, resulting in a limp. Therefore, for comminuted fractures, whether it is of the tibia, femur, or another bone, as long as the alignment is properly maintained and the shortening is controlled to within 1 centimeter, postoperative recovery will be very good, without any limping.