How long does it take for a comminuted patellar fracture to heal?
If the patella is fractured into fragments, conservative treatment is usually not chosen, and surgical treatment is necessary. There are several surgical methods, but as long as the fixation is sturdy and the joint surface recovers well, normal life and work can generally resume in about six weeks. Typically, a follow-up at the hospital is needed in the fourth week or the twelfth week after surgery. If there are no issues at these check-ups, normal work and life can continue. However, the internal fixatives such as steel pins, wires, or memory alloy bone clamps should be removed within six months to a year post-surgery. It is generally recommended that the internal fixation devices be removed around thirteen months after surgery when the patella has healed well, and the knee joint function has been restored, allowing for a return to a normal life. So, for a comminuted patellar fracture, recovery to normal life typically takes about six weeks, and the internal fixation devices can be removed in about a year.