Query fractured patella

On 16 January whilst on holiday in Lanzarote, I tripped and fell, putting out my right hand to save myself.  I hit a wall with my hand and chin, and my knee on either the wall or ground.  I knew immediately I had hurt my hand as 3 fingers went numb, and my neck and knee were sore but did not seem as bad.

Off to the hospital and 7 X-Rays.  I was told the hand was just bruised and swollen, but put in a cast to rest it, then taken off before I flew home.  The neck was undamaged, just muscular damage to the chest wall.  But I was told that there was some sign of a hairline fracture to the kneecap, plus a blood clot, bad bruising and swelling.  I was put in an ankle to thigh brace, put on heparin and a stomach protector for 2 weeks.  1 CT scan, 1 Ultrasound, 2 days in hospital, 2 days in a disabled room at the hotel, 1 day back at hospital and the last day in the hotel room.  Then I was repatriated and my GP sent me to the fracture clinic at my local Hospital.

So 2 weeks later on 28 January, the hospital were unable to read the Spanish discs's so repeated the X-Rays.  This time I was told the hand definitely did have fractures, but just needed soft splinting.  I was not surprised as the hand HURT!  However I was then told there was no sign of a knee fracture.  Again I was not surprised, as I did not have any pain, just tenderness to touch and bruising.  I could stand and bend the knee 45 degrees, as we discovered when I got onto the X-Ray machine. 

To my surprise though, the brace was replaced with an adjustable brace to increase flexion.  I was instructed to keep it at 30 degrees for 2 weeks, then 60 degrees for 2 weeks, then 90 degrees for 2 weeks.  Then another X-Ray, and a course of physiotherapy.  And NO DRIVING!

At home 3 weeks after the accident I find I can get in and out of the shower without the brace, there is no pain as I move from shower to bedroom to put the brace on, my flexion is already up to about 75 degrees - it had just been stiff after being immobile for 2 weeks.  But I am doing as I'm told - keeping it braced and the leg up most of the day.  I also make a point of going out each day for about 20 minutes to get some fresh air and exercise.

My question is, surely 8+ weeks in a brace is over the top where there is no evidence of a fracture or any ligament/tendon damage, and the swelling and bruising has subsided?  And surely I would be in pain if it was fractured - I have always had pain with other fractures?  When I broke my ankle I was in plaster only 4 weeks, and a friend who broke a leg only had a cast for 6 weeks.

Anyone had any similar experiences, or can tell me how long they were immobilised with a fractured knee?  Many thanks

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