HealthInfo West Coast-Te Tai Poutini
Surgery for a broken kneecap
Pokanga mō te popoki kua whati
If your fracture is unstable (meaning the bones could move around a lot) you might need surgery. This usually involves wires or occasionally screws to hold the broken kneecap together while it heals. The operation is called an open reduction internal fixation, often referred to as ORIF.
If the broken part of your kneecap is small and ORIF isn't possible, the surgeon may remove the broken bit.
Very occasionally, a kneecap can be so badly broken it cannot be repaired. If this happens, or if your surgery isn't successful, your kneecap may be removed. It will not be replaced, so this only happens if there are no other options.
Your orthopaedic surgeon will talk to you in detail about your operation before any surgery.
During the operation you'll be given antibiotics. It's usual to spend a night in hospital.
Please ask a nurse or doctor if you would like more information about your operation and recovery.
Recovery after surgery
Your leg will be in a brace after surgery, and it will stay on for four to six weeks. For the first two weeks the brace will keep your leg straight, but after that your doctor may adjust it to allow some movement. You will not be able to drive while your leg is in a brace.
After surgery you may have a small drain in place to stop fluid building up around your injured knee. This will be taken out after 24 hours. Your leg will be up on a pillow to help reduce swelling.
Your nurse will regularly check the blood flow to your injured leg. They will also check how much pain you're feeling and give you pain relief, which your doctor will prescribe. You may need to continue taking antibiotics.
You'll also see a physiotherapist, who will aim to get you moving as soon as possible. This helps to prevent problems that can happen with long periods of bed rest. These can include blood clots in your leg (deep vein thrombosis), infections and muscle weakness.
If it's uncomfortable putting weight on your leg, the physiotherapist will teach you how to walk with either a frame or crutches.
You'll need some time off work – how long depends on the particular operation you have, what your job involves and whether there are any light duties you can do.
As you recover from your surgery, you'll have some X-rays and regular appointments with your surgeon to check that the break is healing well.
If you've had wires to hold your bones together, these will need to be taken out. This usually involves another operation. It's best to wait at least three months before getting the wires taken out.
Some people who have had screws put in their kneecap find them painful. If this happens to you, talk to your general practice team about a referral to have them removed. This isn't usually done until 12 months after surgery to make sure the bone has healed completely.
If you have any other concerns after you go home, see your general practice team.
Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed July 2022.
Sources
Review key: HIHIL-240273
