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The Mystery of Knee Fractures: Why Do They Cause Pain and Inability to Walk?
A broken knee, medically known as a patellar fracture, usually occurs after an accidental trauma, such as a fall or an external impact. This injury has a profound impact on the patient's life. The pain, swelling and bruising are often unbearable, and the ability to walk is severely limited.
Symptoms of fracturesTypes of patellar fractures include transverse fractures, marginal fractures, cartilage fractures, and rare vertical or stellate fractures. The mode of injury affects the morphology of the fracture and subsequent treatment.
The main symptoms of patellar fracture include severe pain in the anterior knee, significant swelling and bruising, which may worsen during activity. Patients are often unable to bend or straighten their knees and experience severe discomfort when standing, and may be completely unable to move when walking.
Potential complicationsPain may worsen after prolonged sitting, further compromising quality of life, and patients may often feel limited in their movements.
A patella fracture may lead to a number of complications, the most common of which include damage to the tibia, femur, or knee ligaments. In the long term, the knee may not regain full mobility and may continue to be painful, increasing the risk of adverse arthritis.
Open fractures or traumatic fractures increase the risk of infection, make bone healing difficult, and may even lead to bone necrosis.
How is the diagnosis made?
The diagnosis of patellar fractures is based on symptoms and is confirmed by X-ray examination. If necessary, children may need further magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Treatment methods
The treatment methods for patellar fractures can be divided into conservative treatment and surgical treatment, and the specific plan depends on the type and condition of the fracture. Undisplaced fractures can usually be treated with a cast and gradual knee flexion exercises allowed after three weeks.
Necessity of surgical treatmentIn some cases, even somewhat displaced fractures can be managed with a cast as long as the patient can extend the leg voluntarily, demonstrating that the quadriceps mechanism remains intact.
Most patellar fractures are transverse or comminuted, which interferes with quadriceps muscle function and usually require surgery to rejoin the bones using a tension band construct. If the fracture is particularly severe, a patellar resection may traditionally be required to restore the stability of the knee joint.
Rehabilitation and Prognosis
After surgery or non-surgical treatment, recovery is extremely important. A physical therapist will guide you through a gradual process of weight-bearing exercises to strengthen your leg muscles, improve your knee's range of motion, and reduce stiffness.
Even with appropriate treatment, if the joint surface or quadriceps mechanism is involved, the risk of osteoarthritis may still increase
Statistics and social impact
According to statistics, knee fractures account for about 1% of all fractures. This injury is most common in middle-aged men, but the incidence of peripheral fractures is increasing with the aging of the population and the increase in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). This makes more people aware of the importance of maintaining knee health and avoiding fractures.
Historical BackgroundLooking back, before the 19th century, patellar fractures were mostly treated by non-surgical methods, which often led to long-term pain and dysfunction. As medical technology advances, patellar repair surgery has evolved and improved, resulting in improved quality of life for many patients.
After understanding the causes and effects of patellar fractures, we can't help but ask, how can we more effectively prevent this type of injury?
