Knee joint is the most used joint after shoulder joint in human body. Knee joint is formed by patella, tibia and femur. Knee joint fracture is either isolated fracture that involves one bone or multiple fractures, which involves patella, tibia and femur. Knee joint fracture includes intraarticular (within knee joint capsule) fracture or extension of extra articular fracture (outside knee joint) into knee joint.
Classification and Types Of Knee Joint Fracture
1. Hairline Fracture Of Knee Joint
Hairline Fracture or crack is mostly on the surface of the bone and does not pass through entire thickness of the bone.
Fracture or crack does not spread through complete circumference of patella, femur or tibia, but covers partial circumference of the bone.
Hairline fracture is treated with conservative treatment.
2. Non-Displaced Fracture Of Knee Joint
Fracture or cracks passes through entire thickness of the bone.
Fracture fragment maintains normal anatomical position following injury.
Fracture fragment maintains normal anatomical position during conservative treatment, which may involve closed reduction and application of braces or cast.
Treated with conservative treatment.
3. Partial Displaced Fracture Of Knee Joint
Fracture or cracks passes through entire thickness of the bone just like stable partial displaced fracture.
Fractured fragment is partially displaced away from parent bone.
Isolated piece of fracture segment is partially displaced from normal anatomical position.
Fractured fragment maintains normal anatomical position following conservative treatment and close reduction.
Treated with close reduction.
Surgical treatment is advised when close reduction and external fixator treatment fails to reduce the fracture.
4. Complete Displaced Fracture Of Knee Joint
Fracture or cracks passes through entire thickness of the bone just like stable non-displace fracture.
Fracture fragment is an isolated piece of bone, which is separated from parent bone.
Fracture fragment does not maintain normal anatomical position.
Close reduction often fails to bring the displaced segment of fracture bone to normal anatomical position.
Treated with surgical treatments and medications.
5. Compound (Open) Knee Joint Fracture
Fracture fragment is completely displaced
Parent bone or fracture fragment protrudes through skin and subcutaneous tissue and exposed to atmosphere.
Fracture is associated with loss of covering skin, subcutaneous tissue and muscles.
Bones are exposed to atmosphere.
Associated with extensive tissue damage.
Fracture is associated with nerve damage and ruptured major blood vessels resulting in severe bleeding.
Treatment is surgery and medications.
Knee Joint Replacement To Treat Knee Joint Fracture
Procedure for Total Knee Replacement To Treat Knee Joint Fracture
Procedure is performed under epidural, spinal or general anesthesia.
Skin incision of 8 to 12 inch is made in front of knee joint.
Damaged lower end of femur and upper end of tibia is shaved and removed.
Artificial (prosthesis) metallic or plastic head is placed over tibia and femur.
Prosthesis is cemented within marrow cavity with special synthetic cement.
Recent equipment and advances in knee replacement surgery requires only small incision of 3 to 5 inches.
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