Browse categories and answer follow-up questions to refine your symptom profile.
Triage and Immediate Priorities
Initial priorities
Hemodynamic instability triggers alternate diagnosis and trauma evaluation
Major hemorrhage uncommon in isolated patella fracture
Severe pain out of proportion trigger compartment syndrome and open injury evaluation
Escalate analgesia and urgent orthopedic consultation if suspected
Open fracture triggers
If open wound over patella with visible deep tissue then treat as open fracture
If gross contamination then urgent irrigation and operative planning
Neurovascular and Limb Threat Screen
Limb threat screen
Distal pulses and perfusion
If diminished pulses then knee dislocation pathway and urgent vascular imaging
Motor function
Ankle dorsiflexion and plantarflexion
Great toe extension
Sensory function
Peroneal nerve distribution
Tibial nerve distribution
Compartment syndrome features
Pain with passive stretch of toes and ankle
Tense compartments and escalating analgesic requirement
Early Stabilization
Stabilization bundle
Knee immobilizer or posterior long leg splint in full extension
Splinting goal extensor mechanism protection
Non weight bearing until imaging and extensor mechanism assessment completed
Weight bearing as tolerated in extension only if stable nondisplaced fracture and intact extensor mechanism
Ice and elevation
Skin checks for pressure injury in immobilizer
Analgesia strategy
Multimodal nonopioid first line when appropriate
Opioid for breakthrough severe pain with short course planning
SymptomDx is an educational tool for medical professionals. It does not replace clinical judgment. Verify all clinical data and drug dosages with authoritative sources.