Knee Fracture Diagnosis and Treatment by Expert Orthopedic Surgeons at Mercy

The hip and knee surgeons at Orthopedics and Joint Replacement at Mercy work with patients to diagnose and provide treatment options for knee fractures.

About Knee Fractures

The most common knee fracture occurs when the small bone (kneecap) in front of the knee joint breaks from blunt force or trauma. It is also possible to fracture the knee joint itself, which includes the bottom of the femur (thighbone) and the top of the tibia (leg bone).

Symptoms & Diagnosis

The most common symptoms of a knee fracture are:

Swelling and bruising around the knee
Inability to straighten or flex the knee joint
Inability to walk

A doctor will conduct a physical exam of the knee to check for fractures. Depending on the type of fracture, the doctor may be able to feel the fracture during an exam. Most often an X-ray is performed to confirm the location and type of fracture.

Treatment Options for Knee Fractures

An experienced physician can determine the best treatment option for the type of knee fracture.

Non-surgical treatment - If the knee is not displaced (the broken pieces of bone have not moved), a cast or splint may be recommended for a period time to aid in healing. A doctor may also determine the patient should not bear any weight on the knee for a period of time.

Surgical treatment – If the fracture is more severe, surgery will be required to bring the pieces of bone back together with pins, screws and/or wires.

Physical therapy is often prescribed as part of the recovery process to improve range of motion and overall health of the knee.

Orthopedics and Joint Replacement at Mercy includes top rated orthopedic surgeons offering innovative joint, hip and knee preservation, replacement and treatment options.