What is a knee fracture?
A knee fracture refers to a break in any of the bones that make up the knee joint, which includes the femur (thigh bone), tibia (shin bone), and fibula (smaller bone in the lower leg).
Knee fractures are serious injuries and often require surgery to heal. Over the long term, they may cause arthritis in the knee.
OrthoConnecticut’s team of board certified, fellowship trained knee specialists have a great deal of experience treating and repairing knee fractures. We offer state-of-the art treatment and the convenience of both surgery and follow-up care in a local setting.
There are several types of non-patella fractures that can occur in the knee joint. These include:
- Femur fractures are fractures of the thigh bone, which is the bone that connects the hip to the knee. Femur fractures may happen in the upper third, middle third, or lower third of the bone.
- Tibia fractures are fractures of the shin bone, which is the bone that connects the knee to the ankle. Tibia fractures may occur in the upper third, middle third, or lower third of the bone.
- Fibula fractures are fractures of the smaller bone in the lower leg, which is located on the lateral (outside) aspect of the knee. Fibula fractures may occur in the upper third, middle third, or lower third of the bone.
- Distal femoral fractures are fractures that occur at the distal end of the femur, which is the end closest to the knee. These fractures frequently involve the articular surface of the knee, which can lead to significant joint instability.
- Proximal tibial fractures are fractures that occur at the proximal end of the tibia, which is the end closest to the knee. These fractures can also involve the articular surface of the knee, which can lead to significant joint instability.
All these types of fractures can be caused by a variety of reasons, such as high-impact injuries, falls, or overuse. They can lead to pain, swelling, stiffness, and difficulty moving the knee. Depending on the severity of the fracture, treatment may include rest, physical therapy, bracing, or surgery.
Treatment
Non-Surgical Knee Fracture Treatment
A stable fracture is a non-displaced fracture, where the broken ends of the bones meet up correctly and are aligned. This type of fracture usually does not require surgery, as the bones usually stay in place during healing. Casts or splints may be used to keep the knee straight.
Surgical Treatment for Knee Fractures
Many knee fractures are patella fractures. If the patella has been pulled apart, shattered or significantly displaced, you will most likely need surgery. Fractured patella bones that are not close together often have difficulty healing or may not heal. The thigh muscles that attach to the top of the patella are very strong and can pull the broken pieces out of place during healing.
Types of Patella Knee Fractures
The type of procedure performed often depends on the type of fracture you have. Before the surgery, your doctor will discuss your procedure with you, as well as any potential complications.
Transverse fracture
These two-part fractures are most often fixed in place using pins and wires and a "figure-of-eight" configuration tension band. The figure-of-eight band presses the two pieces together. This procedure is best for treating fractures that are located near the center of the patella. Another approach to a transverse fracture is to secure the bones using small screws, wires, and pins. In many cases, these wires and pins will need to be removed about a year or two after the surgery.
Comminuted fracture
In some cases, either the top or the bottom of the patella can be broken into several small pieces. This type of fracture happens when the kneecap is pulled apart from the injury, then crushed from falling on it. Because the bone fragments are too small to be fixed back into place, they will be removed. The surgeon will attach the loose tendon to the remaining patellar bone.
If the knee cap is broken in many pieces at its center (and they are separated), your surgeon may use a combination of wires and screws to fix it. Removing small portions of the kneecap may also have good results. Complete removal of the kneecap is a last resort in treating a comminuted fracture.
