pathologies
Knee
Knee fractures
treatment
The most important thing is to soothe the pain and immobilize the leg. Ice has a soothing effect.
Surgical treatment is often proposed for these knee fractures, as the main aim is to reconstruct a mobile, near-normal joint, enabling resumption of walking at the same level as before the trauma.
A wide range of techniques are used, and the surgical decision takes into account a number of factors: age, type of fracture, general condition of the patient, osteoporosis, condition of the joint, etc.
I'm used to using titanium screw plates, where the screws lock into the plate. This material protects us from any secondary displacement, enabling us to regain weight-bearing on the operated leg more quickly. Synthesis should be performed via a mini-approach (where possible).
Other techniques can also be used:
- Antero or retrograde nail.
- Classic screw-on plate.
- External fixative.
- Knee prosthesis.
In the following images, you'll see some fractures that have been treated surgically (open osteosynthesis).
Fractures of the femur and tibia often take around four months to heal. If recovery time is taken into account, you're looking at around six months off work (if all goes well).
Physiotherapy sessions involving mobilization of the joint are envisaged fairly quickly.
diagnosis
The diagnosis is most often made in the emergency department.
X-rays are ordered. Other examinations are sometimes necessary to better understand the type of fracture or associated lesions.
symptoms
The pain can be very severe; swelling, deformity, wounds, haematomas, etc. are often present.
The slightest movement of the leg causes excruciating pain. Of course, any support is impossible.
Definition
This is a very broad chapter, encompassing a multitude of lesions whose management is complex.
Fractures may involve one or more bones, there may be associated injuries (ligament, meniscus), the fracture may be open or not, displaced or not, articular or not, with several fragments or a single line.
This list, far from being exhaustive, gives an idea of the complexity of care.