Successful Knee Pain Treatment in Pittsburgh

Knee Fracture Treatment

A knee fracture is a break in the bone of your knee. Your knee has three bones: the thighbone (femur), shinbone (tibia), and kneecap (patella), and a fracture can occur in any of these bones. In younger individuals, these fractures are caused by high-energy injuries, such as a motor vehicle accident or a sports injury. In older people, the most common cause is weak and fragile bones.

There are a few different knee fracture types, including:

• Distal femur fracture - The distal femur (top part of the knee joint) is part of the femur bone that flares out, similar to the mouth of the funnel. A distal femur fracture is a break in the thighbone that occurs just above your knee joint.
• Femoral shaft fracture - A femoral shaft fracture is a break that occurs anywhere along the femoral shaft, which is the long, straight part of the femur.
• Fractures of proximal tibia - A proximal tibial fracture is a break in the upper part of the shin bone or tibia. Proximal tibial fractures may or may not involve the knee joint, although fractures that enter the knee joint may cause joint imperfections, irregular joint surfaces, and improper alignment in the legs.
• Tibial shaft fractures - A tibial shaft fracture is a break that occurs along the length of the tibia or shin bone (larger bone of the lower leg) between the knee and ankle joints. These fractures can occur while playing sports such as soccer and skiing.

While you should visit your orthopaedic specialist to be sure if you have fractured your knee, some knee fracture symptoms you can look out for are:

• Intense pain in the knee or leg.
• Inability to put weight on the affected leg.
• Knee deformity, such as your knee appearing sunken in or out of place.
• Swelling and bruising around the knee joint.
• Knee instability, such as feeling like your knee is going to "give out".

If you think you may have fractured your knee, it's important to seek medical attention right away. Your orthopaedic specialist can diagnose a knee fracture through your medical history, a physical examination, and other diagnostic imaging tests like X-rays. X-rays are taken to know whether the bone is intact or broken, and they are helpful to know the type and location of the fracture. Your orthopaedic doctor may also recommend a computerized tomography (CT) scan to know the severity of the fracture.

There are many treatment options for knee fractures, both non-surgical and surgical. Non-surgical treatment involves skeletal traction (placement of pin into the bone in order to realign broken bones) and the use of casts and braces. Knee fracture surgery options involve internal and external fixation procedures, such as:

• Intramedullary nailing - In this internal fixation procedure, a specially designed metal rod is placed into the canal of the femur. Then the nail is passed on to reach the fracture site and keep it in place. The rod is secured in place with screws at both ends.
• Plates and Screws fixation - In this internal fixation procedure, your surgeon will reposition the broken bone ends into a normal position and then uses special screws or metal plates on the outer surface of the bone to hold the bone fragments in place.
• External fixation - During this procedure, metal pins or screws are inserted into the middle of the femur and tibia and are attached to a device outside the skin to hold bone fragments in place to allow alignment and healing. If your bone is fractured in many pieces, a plate or rod is fixed at both ends of the fracture to maintain the overall shape and length of the bone in place while it heals.

If you have fractured your knee, seek medical assistance as soon as possible, as early intervention is the best way to ensure a successful recovery. 

Dr. Brian Kelly, an experienced orthopaedic surgeon, is an excellent resource for any knee pain you may be experiencing. Reach out Brian J. Kelly MD for comprehensive care and effective injury treatment.

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