The patella or kneecap is a triangular, free floating, a bony plate that acts as a shield for the knee joint. When serious accidents happen, this area can be injured, leading to fractures in the patella. The plate may break evenly into one or two pieces, or it may shatter into multiple fragments. Simple fractures can be treated with the help of a splint or cast until the break mends. In complicated cases, the joint itself moves out of place and surgery is required to realign it and ensure that the kneecap becomes functional again.

“Dashboard knee” is a common hazard in motor-vehicle accidents. It happens when the knee area slams into the vehicle’s dashboard. For passengers seated in the rear, this may not be such a risk but their knees may get impacted by the seat in front or by the hard interiors of the vehicle doors etc. Unfortunately, wearing a seatbelt may not protect you from dashboard knee. The impact forces cause people to slip under the seatbelt and come in contact with hard surfaces. These injuries have to be attended to immediately by a qualified doctor and/or orthopedic specialist.

What are symptoms of Patellar fracture?

Symptoms include severe pain, swelling, tenderness in the area, bruising, blood-clotting, open wounds, abrasions etc. You may have difficulty in straightening/bending the knee. The physician can confirm the diagnosis with the help of X-rays or MRI scans.

What is treatment of Patellar fracture?

Treatments include pain-management, electrical stimulation to reduce inflammation, cold laser therapy and ice to reduce pain and swelling, application of cast, surgery, etc, based on the nature and extent of damage. Contact an experienced personal injury lawyer. You may be entitled to compensation.