Healing time after a kneecap fracture
How long it takes for a kneecap fracture to heal cannot be generally defined for the following reasons:
- On the one hand there are different types of fractures and
- Different forms of a fracture, which in themselves have very different healing tendencies and
- On the other hand, each patient responds differently to possible therapies, depending on his or her individual basic conditions.
A kneecap fracture can sometimes be treated without surgery, but only if there is no concomitant damage and the patient’s general condition is good. Then the joint can be re-inserted in part practically directly under professionally supervised physiotherapy, although the joint should still be gradually re-accustomed to its full range of motion step by step. A full load cannot be applied for several weeks and should be built up slowly.
In most cases, one can assume that normal function is restored after about 6 weeks. If, however, there are larger fractures and, in addition, other structures in the joint may be affected, surgery is absolutely necessary. Following most of the various surgical procedures that are available, the knee joint usually has to be protected for another 6 weeks.
Sometimes, certain surgical techniques also require the implants to be removed in a second operation, which further increases the overall healing process. Some patients still complain of various impairments even after successful completion of the therapy, but these are then reduced again after a few months: However, in about one third of patients with a kneecap fracture, complete healing does not occur at all. For the rest of their lives, they have pain, some of which is permanent and some of which only occurs under stress. The chance of a complete cure depends primarily on the extent of the damage caused.
- Minor numbness,
- Swelling
- Or weather sensitivity
