Conservative Treatment of Patellar Frx

---

- Indications:
    - for undisplaced vertical, peripheral, comminuted, or even transverse
          frxs associated with 2 mm or less of step-off incongruity in
          articular surface, and/or less than 3 mm of fragment separation;
          - usually, the extensor mechanism is not totally disrupted at the time
                of such fractures;

- Treatment:
    - immobilization in a cylinder or an above-the-knee cast with the knee in
          extension has provided successful treatment;
    - 4-6 weeks of immobilization followed by gentle but progressive ROM
          and, later, quadriceps-strengthening exercises produces good results.
    - while few degrees of extreme flexion are frequently lost, over-all result
          is a satisfied patient with little or no discomfort or disability;