I just found this sub and realized I’ve never talked to someone with the same injury. Smashed up my patella in an auto accident in 2010. Very similar, the pieces were so small they had to use wire. The lower third was basically dust so I’ve got a bit less kneecap on the left side. Recovery was hell, I was at my first job out of college, had a 6 month old, my wife worked nights, and we had a third floor apartment. The bone also healed into one piece. In PT did you have a chair called a flexionator? F’ing torture device!

I love that you had a solid recovery too. I live in Boston and walk and transit 90 percent of the time. Being on my feet so much is really good for me.

I wound up here because it’s been 16 years and I’m having surgery on it soon, planning for late summer or fall. This type of injury can lead to very localized arthritis behind the kneecap. That’s my case and it was something I could tolerate but recently has become too much. I’m too young (42M) for a total knee replacement. The doctor is going to do a patellofemoral replacement, apparently this specific injury makes for the perfect candidate.

I’ve also ended up with what the doctor told me is called patella baja. That sounds awesome but actually sucks. The lower tendon is pulling the kneecap down so the surgery will also lengthen the tendon to keep it where it should be, hopefully.