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CHAP. XXII. Of the Fracture of the Patella, or whirle-bone of the Knee.
THe Whirle-bone of the knee is oft times contused, but not so frequently broken: yet when that happens, it goes into two or three peeces, some∣times * 1.1 long-wise, sometimes athwart. Sometimes it is broken in the midst, and some-whiles shivered into many splinters, and all these ey∣ther with, or without a wound. The signes are, impotencie in going, a hollownesse * 1.2 in that place, and a sensible separation of the fragments of the hurt part, and the crackling of these parts under your hand. It is set after this manner; Wish the Pa∣tient * 1.3 to stretch forth his legge, yea, hee must keepe it extended all the while, untill it be knit; and therefore left hee should bend it unawares, the hollownesse of the Ham shall be filled with a boulster: for by bending of the knee, the set fragments of the whirle-bone would againe fly in sunder. This being done, the fragments shall by the hand of the Surgeon be set as is fitting, and be kept so set by the appli∣cation of convenient remedies, making ligatures, and applying Junks, as wee said must be done in a fracture of the Thigh-bone. And lastly, you must observe and doe in this, as in the fracture of a legge. For the Prognostick, this I affirme, That I have seene none of those who have had this bone fractured, who have not hal∣ted during the rest of their lives. The cause hereof is, the knitting by the concre∣tion of a Callus hinders the free bending of the knee; going, especially on even * 1.4 ground is more easie to the Patient, but an ascent is farre more difficult, and abso∣lutely painfull. The Patient must necessarily for this kinde of fracture lye or keep his bed, at the least for forty dayes.