1. Lifeline mult- specialty hospital
Rajiv Gandhi road, Kanchipuram district
Chennai
T.+91 44 42454500
27, 1st avenue
Besant nagar
Chennai 600090, India
Mobile: 91 9176640002
Fractures
Fractures of the knee can involve the thigh bone (femur), leg bone (tibia) and the kneecap (patella). They are important in as they can extend into the knee joint which is a major weight bearing joint. Accurate repositioning of the broken fragments and firm fixation is required to allow early movement. Improper treatment leads to early wear and tear from alteration of the normal stresses. This can lead to osteoarthritis. These fractures can occur in the following ways. A direct blow in a car occupant, motorcyclist or scooterist can hit the kneecap. The thighbone requires a large amount of violence as in a road traffic accident. The leg bone also can be injured in accidents. In addition the top of the leg bone called the condyles are broken in elderly persons due to osteoporosis (weakness of bones) with application of minimal force. In addition, other types of fractures can occur in the knee joint like in Cancer (pathological fracture), avulsion of the attachments of tendons and injury through the growth plates in children.
Risk factors
-Injury to the bone
Weakness of bones (Osteoporosis)
-Cancer (Pathological fractures)
Symptoms
Sudden onset of pain .Sudden swelling due to bleeding into the knee joint. .Inability to move the broken bone.
.Discoloration of the leg and thigh.
.Involvement of the blood vessels or nerves can lead to loss of pulses or cause tingling in the leg or foot.
Action required-Contact your Doctor or rush to the nearest hospital.
Treatment- These fractures require open reduction to set them in place and are fixed by screws, plates or wires.
Prevention
Regular exercise, plenty of fruits and a diet rich in calcium are essential to prevent osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is the forerunner of majority of these fractures around the knee in elderly individuals.


