You'll really have to talk to your orthopedic surgeon regarding all this. Some fractures need surgery to heal, others are fine with just immobilization. Most people are put on crutches, but again the surgeon is the one who determines the protocol.
You may want to go down to the section called 'Bone breaks around the knee' to talk with other patella fracture patients. It does seem to be a longer recovery, but your surgeon should be able to give you a ballpark figure on how long before you feel like your old self again.
I'd say good luck, but...well, good luck, anyway. You do seem to be having a bad patch. But it's really not that uncommon to fall after knee surgery! I wiped out on crutches three days post-op from a procedure on my left knee and damaged my right one!! So far the right hasn't had surgery, but it's getting there...not gonna happen, though!
Anyway, take care and BE CAREFUL. I know, it's a bit late now, right?
Heather
