Patellar fractures are primarily caused by direct impact of the patella against an external object (e.g., fall and direct impact of the knees with the ground), however, in some rare cases, they can occur through indirect mechanisms, in which the quadriceps muscle contracts maximally and leads to injury (often during high-intensity movements). Depending on the position of the fragments after injury, patellar fractures can be classified as decomposed, when the segments are significantly distant from each other, or compound. Apart from the relationship between the segments, the direction of the fracture, which can be transverse, marginal, vertical, etc., plays a role in deciding the best management strategy. After sustaining a patella bone injury, patients typically present with pain, swelling, inflammation, reduced knee function, and potentially patella deformity depending on the injury itself and the degree of bone segment displacement.
