Lower Extremity Fractures
A 55-year-old woman falls directly onto her knee while walking. She presents with anterior knee pain, a tense hemarthrosis, and inability to actively extend the knee against gravity. Examination reveals a palpable gap in the anterior patella with tenderness. There is no skin break. Radiographs show a displaced transverse fracture through the mid-patella with 5mm of fragment separation. Regarding patella fractures:
Mark each as TRUE or FALSE
The patella is the largest sesamoid bone in the body, embedded in the quadriceps tendon; it increase...
Transverse fractures are the most common pattern (50-80%); other patterns include stellate/comminute...
The patella decreases the moment arm of the extensor mechanism; vertical fractures are the most comm...
Non-operative treatment (cylinder cast or hinged brace) is appropriate for non-displaced fractures (...
Partial patellectomy is indicated for severely comminuted polar fragments that cannot be reconstruct...
Answer the questions to see explanations
Click T (True) or F (False) for each option