Fractures

A knee fracture is a break or crack in 1 or more of the bones in the knee joint.  Common knee fracture injuries include:  

Kneecap fractures

Some kneecap fractures can cause just a tiny crack in the bone, while others may cause the bone to shatter or stick out through the skin. This kind of injury generally results from a fall or blow to the knee.

Symptoms of kneecap fractures include:

• Pain when your knee is touched or when you move your leg
• You have swelling and bruising around your knee
• You are able to straighten your leg but you cannot bend it
• You cannot stand up or put weight on your injured leg

What is the treatment?

• Treatment can be open reduction-internal fixation surgery where Dr Herald puts the broken bones back together with pins, wires and screws – or removes pieces too damaged to repair.
• Alternatively the kneecap can be removed (either part or all of the kneecap).
• After this surgery the knee can still be extended but the extension strength will be weaker.
• Contact sports should be avoided and stationary bikes and non-weight bearing sports are recommended.

Distal Femar (thighbone) fracture of the knee

• Fractures of the top part of the knee are called distal femur fractures.
• They typically occur in the elderly or in high impact injuries such as a car crash.
• Distal femur fractures can be described as transverse (straight across), comminuted (many pieces) or intra-articular (extend into the knee joint).
• Additionally these types of fractures may be open (where the skin is broken), or closed (where the skin is intact).
• Due to the strong musculature around these fractures, it is common for the muscles to shorten and move the bony fragments away from correct alignment.

What are the symptoms?

What is the treatment?

• Surgery is often indicated for distal femur fractures.

Proximal Tibia (below knee) fracture

• Fractures of the bottom part of the knee joint are called proximal tibia fractures. While most of these fractures occur as a result of trauma, they can also occur as a result of stress fracture or compromised bone due to infection, cancer or osteoporosis.
• Fractures of this region are described as transverse, comminuted or intra-articular.
• Intra-articular fractures involve fracture of the tibial plateau, a much softer part of the tibia which sometimes presents as a depression in the bone rather than a fracture.
• Surgical correction and immobilisation are recommended in proximal tibial fractures.

Symptoms of Proximal Tibia (below knee) fracture include:

• Pain upon movement or when bearing weight
• Tenderness
• Limited ability to bend the knee
• Deformity around or below the knee joint
• The foot may be cold and pale (reduced blood supply)