I fell on my knee on the tiles and can't straighten my leg. What should I do?

Why this needs attention today

Hard, polished floors such as marble and ceramic tiles are common in homes, malls and mosques across Qatar, and a slip on a wet floor can drive the kneecap straight into the ground. The kneecap is part of the system that straightens the leg, together with the quadriceps tendon above it and the patellar tendon below it.

If you cannot straighten the knee against gravity, that system may be broken: a cracked kneecap pulled apart, or a ruptured tendon. These injuries usually need surgery, and the results are generally better when they are treated promptly.

What to do right now

• Stop walking on the leg; use a chair, crutches or help from others
• Keep the knee straight and supported, for example with a rolled towel or pillow along the back of the leg
• Apply a cold pack wrapped in cloth for 15 to 20 minutes
• Take simple pain relief if it is safe for you
• Go to the nearest emergency department, or call 999 if you cannot be moved safely

Signs it is likely to be more than a bruise

• You cannot lift the straight leg off the bed or floor
• There is a gap or step you can feel in the kneecap or just above or below it
• Swelling came up quickly and the knee is tense
• There is a wound over the kneecap, which may mean an open fracture and needs immediate care
• You heard or felt a crack at the moment of the fall

After the emergency visit

X-rays usually confirm or rule out a fracture straight away. If the kneecap or a tendon is injured, ask to be seen by a knee or orthopaedic surgeon within days. At Aman Hospital in Doha, Dr. Gelber reviews the images, checks whether the leg can be straightened and explains whether a brace or surgery is advised. A simple bruise with full straightening is often managed with rest, ice and a short period of reduced activity.