Ummmm....at the risk of sounding stupid....what's a Patella?

Unfortunately I have no advice either, but I do know from watching our sweet Angel here on PT that kittens adapt extremely well to any circumstance they are put in. I think Kim took Angel's splints off after just 24 hours or less, and her legs healed perfectly fine, so maybe just confinement would be the least invasive, but I believe whatever your vet recommends would probably be best.

Good luck and please let us know how Socks is doing, and pictures, pictures, picures!