Knee Fractures

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What is the Anatomy of the Knee?

In order to understand knee fractures, it is essential to have a basic knowledge of the knee’s anatomy. The knee joint is composed of three main bones:

Femur (thighbone): The longest bone in the body, extending from the hip to the knee.
Tibia (shinbone): The largest (by diameter) of the two bones in the lower leg.
Patella (kneecap): A small, flat, triangular bone that sits at the front of the knee joint. The patella enables the knee to extend outward and inwards.

The three major bones in the knee are interconnected by various ligaments and tendons, which provide stability and allow for the knee’s range of motion. The knee joint is also cushioned by cartilage, which helps absorb shock and reduce friction during movement.

What are Knee Fractures?

Although less common than other types of fractures, knee fractures can be particularly debilitating due to the knee’s crucial role in movement and weight-bearing. The knee joint provides stability and mobility to the leg. If any of these components are damaged, it can significantly impact a person’s ability to perform daily activities.

Knee fractures involve any of the bones that make up the knee joint. The most common types of knee fractures include:

Patellar Fractures:

These fractures occur in the kneecap and are often caused by direct trauma, such as a fall or a blow to the knee. Patellar fractures can range from simple, non-displaced fractures to complex, comminuted fractures. Fractures of the patella can lead to profound pair and moving disturbances due to movement impairment caused by the dysfunction of the patella.

Distal Femur Fractures:

These fractures occur at the lower end of the femur, just above the knee joint. Distal femur fractures are often caused by trauma, including falls or accidents, but they may also result from low-energy injuries in individuals with weakened bones. Distal Femur Fractures are rare and more likely to occur amongst older individuals with lower bone density or osteoporosis.

Proximal Tibia Fractures (Tibial Plateau Fractures):

These fractures occur at the upper part of the tibia and often involve the knee joint surface. Proximal Tibia fractures are often caused by direct trauma, such as falls or sports-related injuries, and can be complicated by damage to the surrounding ligaments and cartilage.

What are the Common Causes and Risk Factors of Knee Fractures?

Knee fractures are usually the result of trauma, but certain factors can increase the risk of sustaining a knee fracture:

High-Energy Trauma:

Car accidents, falls from heights, and sports injuries are common causes of knee fractures. These high-energy impacts can generate significant force, leading to fractures.

Osteoporosis:

Individuals who are pre-diagnosed with osteoporosis, a condition characterised by brittle bones, are more prone to knee fractures.

Ageing:

The risk of knee fractures increases with age, particularly in individuals over 50, due to the natural decline in bone density and strength.

Physical Activity:

Sports-related injuries are the most common cause of knee fractures among young people in Singapore. Engaging in activities that involve sudden movements or changes in direction increases the risk of knee fractures

What are Early Signs of Knee Fracture?

Patients with knee fractures often present with knee pain, swelling, lacerations or abrasions, and palpable defects of the knee. Furthermore, patients experience a reduced range of motion in the knee joint due to pain, swelling, or mechanical blockage, which indicates a potential tear of the tissue around the knee. Therefore, patients with a history of trauma to the knee and who have the symptoms mentioned above should be evaluated further by orthopaedic surgeons in Singapore.

How Can Knee Fractures Be Diagnosed?

At Alps Orthopaedic Centre, diagnosing a knee fracture typically involves a combination of physical examination, imaging studies, and a review of the patient’s medical history. Critical steps in the diagnostic process include:

Medical History Taking:

Our orthopaedic specialist will understand your medical history, such as your past injury history.

Physical Examination:

Our orthopaedic specialist will perform a thorough check of your knee, checking for signs of knee fractures.

Imaging Studies:

X-rays are the primary imaging modality used to diagnose knee fractures. They provide detailed images of the bones and can help determine the type and extent of the fracture. In some cases, additional scans such as the CT or MRI may be recommended to check if additional injuries to the surrounding tissues are present.

What are the Treatment Options for Knee Fractures in Singapore?

The treatment of knee fractures depends on the type, severity, and location of the fracture, as well as the patient’s overall health and activity level. Treatment options can be broadly categorised into non-surgical and surgical approaches:

Non-Surgical Treatment: For less severe fractures where patients have intact extension movement mechanism of the knee, non-surgical treatment may be sufficient. This typically involves immobilisation of the knee with a cast to allow the bone to recover properly. After allowing for the bone to heal, patients will undergo a specialised physical therapy routine to restore leg muscle strength and restore its range of motion.
Knee Surgeries: More severe fractures, such as a complete displacement or a floating knee, often require surgical intervention. Surgical options include:
- Open Reduction and Internal Fixation (ORIF): ORIF involves repositioning the fractured bone fragments and securing them with metal plates, screws, or pins to stabilise the bone and promote healing.
- External Fixation: In cases where internal fixation is not possible, external fixation may be used. This involves placing metal pins or screws into the bone on either side of the fracture, which are then connected to an external frame to hold the bones in place.
- Knee Replacement: In some cases, particularly in older patients with severe fractures or pre-existing arthritis, a partial or total knee replacement may be necessary.

Summary

Knee fractures require prompt and appropriate treatment to aid optimal recovery and function. Understanding the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for knee fractures can help patients make informed decisions about care and rehabilitation. With the right approach, most people with knee fractures can achieve a full recovery and return to their normal activities.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the recovery period for a knee fracture?

In most cases, the range of motion of the knee is restricted for 4 to 6 weeks after the surgery. Afterwards, the range of motion will be slowly progressed, and a structured physical therapy program will be created to restore muscle strength, balance, and coordination. The recovery period post-surgery depends on the type of fracture; patellar and femur fractures often heal within several months, while tibia plateau fractures can take more than half a year, depending on their severity.

Can I re-injure my knee after the surgery?

While most knee fractures heal without complications, some potential complications may arise after knee injuries. Patients with a history of knee fracture are at risk of subsequent fracture, especially patients who are over 65 years old with osteoporotic bones.

What happens if I leave the knee condition untreated?

If left untreated, fractures of the patella, lower femur, and upper tibia can cause prolonged immobilisation, leading to diseases associated with recumbency, such as pneumonia, thrombosis, and pressure ulcers.

Visit Alps Orthopaedic Centre

If you or your loved ones exhibit signs of a knee fracture, book an appointment with our experienced Senior Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Dr Jerry Chen, for a thorough assessment and treatment plan.

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Dr Jerry Chen

MBBS (S’pore), MRCSEd, MMed (Ortho), FRCSEd (Ortho)

Fellowship-trained Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon & Medical Director

Before starting Alps Orthopaedic Centre, Dr Jerry Chen was a Consultant at Singapore General Hospital (SGH), where he accumulated over 13 years of experience in Orthopaedic Surgery.
Dr Chen spearheaded the workgroup for Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) for hip and knee replacement surgeries at SGH, where he successfully employed ERAS, benefiting more than 2,000 patients thus far.
Having performed over 500 surgeries in a year, he has been instrumental in helping numerous patients recover from injuries and diseases and return to their active lifestyles.
His clinical interests include Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) for Hip and Knee, Sports Injuries, Minimally Invasive Surgery and Robotic Surgery.

Why Alps Orthopaedic Centre?

At Alps Orthopaedic Centre, we specialise in Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS). Performed as a Day Surgery, the ERAS Direct Anterior Approach in Total Hip Replacement (THR) technique as well as ERAS Total Knee Replacement (TKR), reduces the average hospitalisation stay, utilising techniques which enable the patient to suffer from less pain and recover faster. We are an Orthopaedic clinic in Singapore, which specialises in ERAS and do our utmost to enable patients to return to everyday activities as early as possible.

Our Orthopaedic clinic provides specialised diagnosis and effective treatment of musculoskeletal problems, especially Day Surgery / Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) For Hip and Knee Surgery, Sports Injuries and Trauma Fractures. If you are considering hip or knee surgery or minimally invasive treatments, book an appointment with our experienced Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Dr Jerry Chen, for a thorough assessment and treatment plan.

Our aim is to boost patient well-being, optimising every aspect of the surgical journey. By minimising the recovery period, patients are able to go back to activities that they love. The Alps team offers comprehensive financial counselling sessions to ensure our patients understand their options and make informed decisions regarding their treatment plans.

Has this article been insightful? Share it!

Dr Jerry Chen

MBBS (S’pore), MRCSEd, MMed (Ortho), FRCSEd (Ortho)

Fellowship-trained Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon & Medical Director

Before starting Alps Orthopaedic Centre, Dr Jerry Chen was a Consultant at Singapore General Hospital (SGH), where he accumulated over 13 years of experience in Orthopaedic Surgery.
Dr Chen spearheaded the workgroup for Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) for hip and knee replacement surgeries at SGH, where he successfully employed ERAS, benefiting more than 2,000 patients thus far.
Having performed over 500 surgeries in a year, he has been instrumental in helping numerous patients recover from injuries and diseases and return to their active lifestyles.
His clinical interests include Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) for Hip and Knee, Sports Injuries, Minimally Invasive Surgery and Robotic Surgery.

Why Alps Orthopaedic Centre?

Has this article been insightful? Share it!

Dr Jerry Chen

MBBS (S’pore), MRCSEd, MMed (Ortho), FRCSEd (Ortho)

Fellowship-trained Senior Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon & Medical Director

Before starting Alps Orthopaedic Centre, Dr Jerry Chen was a Consultant at Singapore General Hospital (SGH), where he accumulated over 15 years of experience in Orthopaedic Surgery.
Having performed over 500 surgeries in a year, he has been instrumental in helping numerous patients recover from injuries and diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
As a driven and valued member, Dr Chen spearheaded the workgroup for Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) for hip and knee replacement surgeries at SGH.
Over the course of his career at SGH, Dr Chen has successfully employed ERAS and reduced the average hospitalisation stay for hip and knee replacement surgeries.
Going through these ERAS day surgeries has benefited more than 2,000 patients thus far, enabling them to suffer from less pain and recover faster.
The Alps team is committed to providing specialised orthopaedic care tailored to your unique condition. We offer comprehensive financial counselling sessions to ensure our patients understand their options and make informed decisions regarding their treatment plans.

Why Alps Orthopaedic Centre?

Our Orthopaedic clinic provides specialised diagnosis and effective treatment of musculoskeletal problems, especially Day Surgery / Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) For Hip and Knee Surgery, Sports Injuries and Trauma Fractures. If you are considering hip or knee surgery or minimally invasive treatments, book an appointment with our experienced Senior Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Dr Jerry Chen, for a thorough assessment and treatment plan.