A knee fracture usually means a fracture of the bones that form the knee joint – most commonly the patella (kneecap), but it can also involve the femur (thigh bone), tibia (shin bone), or even associated structures.

🔹 Types of Knee Fractures
1.Patella Fracture – break in the kneecap (most common)
. Can be transverse, comminuted, or vertical.
2.Distal Femur Fracture – break just above the knee joint.
3.Proximal Tibia (Tibial Plateau) Fracture – affects the top of the shin bone.
4.Avulsion Fractures – small piece of bone pulled off by a ligament or tendon.

🔹 Causes
1.Road traffic accidents 🚗
2.Direct blow to the knee
3.Falls (especially in elderly with osteoporosis)
4.Sports injuries

🔹 Symptoms
1.Severe pain in the knee
2.Swelling & bruising
3.Inability to bear weight or walk
4.Deformity (in severe fractures)
5.Inability to straighten the knee (especially patella fracture)

🔹 Diagnosis
1.X-ray (first step)
2.CT scan / MRI (if complex fracture or ligament injury suspected)

🔹 Treatment
1. Non-Surgical (Conservative)
. For non-displaced or stable fractures
. Immobilization with plaster cast or knee brace for 4–6 weeks
. Pain control + physiotherapy after bone starts healing

2. Surgical (Operative)
. Required if fracture is displaced, open, or involves joint surface
. Options:
.ORIF (Open Reduction and Internal Fixation) with plates, screws, or tension band wiring
. External fixation (for severe trauma with soft tissue injury)
. Knee replacement (rare, in elderly with severe joint damage)

🔹 Recovery
. Bone healing: 6–12 weeks (depends on severity & age)
. Physiotherapy is essential to restore:
. Knee motion
. Muscle strength
. Walking ability
. Full recovery may take 3–6 months (sometimes longer if severe).