Fractured Patella (Kneecap): How to Care for Your Child

Although a fractured patella (also known as a broken kneecap) can be painful, in most cases a child will heal by wearing a splint and then a cast for several weeks. Proper care can help decrease the pain while the injury is healing.

The patella is a flat, round bone that protects the knee joint. Patella fractures usually are the result of a hard blow to the kneecap, most commonly during sports, rough play, or auto collisions. 

Health care providers treat patella fractures at first with a splint or knee immobilizer (brace). These are like a cast and give support to the knee, but are soft part of the way around the leg to allow room for swelling. After a few days, when the swelling goes down, the splint may be changed to a full cast. The cast is usually removed after 4–6 weeks. Some fractures that do not heal well on their own may require surgery to bring the broken pieces of bone together.

• If your child is uncomfortable, you may give acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Your health care provider may prescribe another medication if acetaminophen doesn't help.

• Your child should not put weight on the leg until the health care provider says it's OK.

• If given crutches, make sure your child uses them safely, as instructed.

• To help with the swelling during the next 48 hours:

  • Put ice in a plastic bag wrapped in a towel and place it on the splint or leg for 20 minutes every 2 hours. Do not put ice directly on the skin.

  • Raise the knee above heart level by resting it on a pillow as often as possible.

• Make sure your child does not pick at or scratch the skin under the splint.

• If your child has a knee immobilizer, do not remove it unless the health care provider says it's OK.

• Check daily to make sure the foot and toes are not pale, blue, numb, or tingling.

• Do not get the splint wet. To protect it:

  • Put a plastic covering over the splint when your child bathes and prop it on something, like a milk crate, to keep it completely out of the water.

  • Give sponge baths to kids under 5 years old.

  • Older kids should bathe instead of shower.

  • If the splint is accidentally splashed, use a hair dryer on the cool setting to dry damp edges.

• Follow up with the orthopedic doctor (bone specialist).

Your child:

• Has pain that continues while taking pain medicine.

• Has pain or swelling that becomes worse.

• Your child's foot or toes are tingling, numb, or blue.

• The splint is damaged, gets wet, or has a foul odor.