# Knee Fracture

- Link: https://carolinaona.com/knee-fracture/
- Published: 2023-03-31T15:37:58-04:00
- Author: Dallas Clifton

# Knee Fracture Treatment in South Carolina

 [Contact Us](https://carolinaona.com/contact-locations/)

### What is a Knee Fracture?

The knee is a hinge joint made up of three bones: the thighbone (femur), the shinbone(
tibia), and the kneecap (patella). The leg can bend and straighten because of the
knee.

A broken knee is known as a patellar fracture. If you fall directly on your knee
or get a direct blow to the patella, you could suffer from a knee fracture. A twist
while bearing weight can also cause a knee fracture.

There are four types of knee fractures and they are as follows:

 * **A stable, or non-displaced fracture –** When the pieces of bone are still touching
   or are only a millimeter or two apart. Most stable fractures heal quickly. They
   happen when none of the bones are broken, but one or more of them is cracked 
   or chipped
 * **Displaced fracture –** When a broken bone or bones cause the other bones to
   move out of place. They don’t line up right, and this kind of break usually needs
   surgery to realign and stabilize the bone
 * **Comminuted fracture –** When the bone breaks into three or more pieces. The
   doctor will examine the bone of the knee and if the shape of the break is stable,
   the best way to treat the injury is to keep it from moving. If the pattern of
   the break is not stable, surgery may be needed to fix or remove one or more pieces
   of bone
 * **Open fracture –** When pieces of bone poke through the skin or a wound goes
   all the way to the bone. This often hurts the soft tissues around it, which can
   take a while to heal

## **What are the Symptoms of a Knee Fracture?**

 * Pain
 * Swelling
 * Bruising
 * Unable to bend the knee
 * Possibly the bone coming through the skin

## **Knee Fracture Treatment**

Treatment will vary depending on what type of fracture you are suffering from. If
it is a hairline fracture, the patient will need to keep their knee still for a 
few weeks. A cast or splint may be put on the knee to stop it from moving and to
keep the bones in place while they heal.

If a fracture causes displacement or other problems, like open wounds or dislocations,
[surgery](https://carolinaona.com/orthopedic-knee-surgery/) may be needed to fix
the damage. Surgeons can realign the knee and get rid of any extra pieces of bone.
The pieces of the knee bone may be held together with screws, pins, or wires.

## **Knee Fracture Recovery**

Recovery time from a knee fracture can take from 3 to 6 months or more depending
on the severity of the break and the treatment needed to repair it. Complications
can include arthritis, chronic pain, or muscle weakness.

## **Knee Fracture Care in South Carolina**

If you are experiencing knee fracture symptoms, reach out to us here at Carolina
Orthopedic & Neurosurgical Associates (CONA) to [schedule an appointment](https://carolinaona.com/appointment-request-form/).
Our team of experts is ready to help you find pain relief and resume your normal
activities.