Knee Fracture Surgery

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A fracture involving the knee can cause significant pain, swelling, instability, and difficulty walking or moving the leg. Knee fracture surgery in Colorado Springs may be recommended when a broken bone is displaced, unstable, involves the joint surface, or is unlikely to heal properly with nonsurgical treatment. Prompt evaluation can help determine the extent of the injury and the most appropriate treatment approach.

Michael Van Manen, DO provides orthopaedic evaluation and fracture care for patients in Colorado Springs. As a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon whose practice includes trauma and fracture care as well as general orthopaedics, Dr. Van Manen evaluates knee injuries based on the location and severity of the fracture, bone alignment, joint involvement, soft-tissue condition, and the patient's overall health and functional needs.

Treatment for a knee fracture depends on the type and severity of the injury. Some stable or nondisplaced fractures may be managed with immobilization, bracing, activity modification, and follow-up imaging, while more complex fractures may require surgical stabilization with plates, screws, wires, or other fixation methods. When a fracture causes substantial joint damage, additional procedures may be considered based on the individual patient's condition.

If you have sustained a knee injury and are experiencing severe pain, swelling, bruising, difficulty bearing weight, or limited knee movement, an orthopaedic evaluation can help determine whether you have a fracture and what treatment may be appropriate.

What is Knee Fracture Surgery?

A knee fracture is a broken bone or a crack in or around the joint of the knee. This can involve the tibia (shin bone), the kneecap (patella), or femur (thighbone) where they connect with the knee.

Knee fracture surgery is a surgical procedure performed to correct the cracked or broken bones in or around the knee to restore normal anatomical function, stability, and motion.

What are the Causes of Knee Fractures?

Most knee fractures are caused by a direct hit to the knee. Other common causes of knee fractures include falls, car accidents, sports activities, or even severe muscle contractions in rare cases.

What are the Symptoms of Knee Fractures?

Some of the common symptoms of knee fractures include:

Extreme pain
Swelling
Bruising
Tenderness
Unable to bend or straighten the knee
Muscle spasms
Crackling or popping sound on movement
Unable to walk

What are the Indications for Knee Fracture Surgery?

Conservative measures such as casting or bracing can be used for knee fractures that are not displaced but severe fractures that are displaced will require surgery to repair the fracture with hardware such as screws and plates to ensure proper healing of the bones.

How is Knee Fracture Diagnosed?

To make an accurate diagnosis and recommend suitable treatment, your doctor will undertake the following measures:

Review your signs and symptoms, medical history, and how the injury was sustained
Physical examination to assess the range of motion, amount of swelling, disfigurement, and severity of pain
Order certain diagnostic tests such as X-ray, CT scan, MRI scan, or bone scan

What Does Surgical Treatment for Knee Fractures Involve?

Some of the common surgeries employed for treatment of a knee fracture include:

Open Reduction and Internal Fixation of Patellar Fracture (broken kneecap): In this procedure, your surgeon will make a cut over the kneecap to look at the broken bone. Your surgeon will reassemble the pieces of the patella and fix them together with the use of screws or metal wires. This will help keep the bone in place while they heal and grow back together. Your surgeon will then close the cuts with staples or stitches.
Osteotomy: This surgery is recommended if the damage sustained by the knee is limited to one section. During an osteotomy, your surgeon will reshape and reposition the bone to take the weight off the damaged part of the knee. Osteotomy is also performed to correct a broken knee that has not healed correctly.
Total Joint Replacement: The knee is the most commonly replaced joint. In this procedure, both sides of your knee joint are replaced. The damaged or injured knee joints are detached and restored with a prosthesis on both sides restoring your knee alignment and function. Knee replacement is an option when irreparable joint damage intervenes with function and causes constant pain.
Partial Knee Replacement: This surgery involves a small incision being made and only the damaged or worn-out section of the knee being removed and replaced with a prosthesis, leaving the healthy section of the knee untouched. This type of surgery is recommended when the cartilage loss is limited to a small portion of the knee joint.
Arthroscopy: This is a minimally invasive knee surgery carried out by a flexible fiber-optic tube that contains a small lens or camera and a lighting system to magnify and illuminate structures inside a joint. The camera attached to the arthroscope shows the picture of the joint on a television screen allowing the surgeon to examine and correct the damaged area. Arthroscopy can be used to:

Repair or remove a torn meniscus
Remove inflamed synovial tissue
Remove loose fragments or cartilage or bone
Treat knee sepsis
Trim damaged articular cartilage
Treat kneecap problems
Reconstruct torn ligaments

Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Reconstruction: ACL tears are very common and are treated by restoring the torn ligament of the knee with a graft made of another tendon or ligament such as hamstring tendon, quadriceps tendon, or patellar tendon. This aids in stabilizing the knee and providing it with full range of motion.

How Does Postoperative Care for Knee Fracture Surgery Involve?

Instructions as part of postoperative care would include:

Use of medications and ice for pain relief
Elevating the affected knee above chest position to reduce swelling
Use of assistive devices such as crutches or wheelchair
Getting up out of bed and walking while in crutches as mobility aids in faster healing
Physical therapy to regain range of motion and muscle strength
Specific instructions on care of the surgical site
Adhering to follow-up appointments to monitor the healing process

What are the Risks and Complications of Knee Fracture Surgery?

As with any surgery, some of the potential risks and complications of knee fracture surgery may include:

Bleeding
Infection
Anesthetic reactions such as fever, nausea, or allergic reaction
Blood clots or deep venous thrombosis
Damage to nerves and blood vessels
Stiffness or instability of the joint
Failure to heal properly
Need for repeat surgery

Why Choose Dr. Michael Van Manen, DO for Knee Fracture Surgery in Colorado Springs?

Knee fractures can vary significantly depending on the bone involved, fracture pattern, degree of displacement, and whether the joint surface or surrounding structures have been affected. Dr. Michael Van Manen, DO, is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon serving patients in Colorado Springs with a practice that includes trauma and fracture care, general orthopaedics, knee replacement, and arthritis disease management.

Dr. Van Manen provides individualized evaluation and treatment planning for orthopaedic injuries. When a knee fracture occurs, determining the appropriate treatment requires careful assessment of the injury and the patient's functional needs.

Orthopaedic fracture care may include:

Review of how the injury occurred and the patient's symptoms
Physical examination of the injured knee and surrounding structures
X-rays and other imaging when indicated
Evaluation of bone alignment and joint involvement
Nonsurgical treatment for appropriate stable fractures
Surgical fracture fixation when indicated
Postoperative guidance and rehabilitation
Follow-up to monitor healing and recovery

The goal of treatment is to promote appropriate fracture healing while restoring knee stability, alignment, mobility, and function as safely as possible.

Knee Fracture Surgery FAQs

What is a knee fracture?

A knee fracture is a break or crack in a bone that forms or surrounds the knee joint. Fractures may involve the patella (kneecap), distal femur (thighbone), or proximal tibia (shinbone).

What causes knee fractures?

Knee fractures can result from falls, motor vehicle accidents, sports injuries, direct blows to the knee, or other high-impact trauma. In some cases, weakened bones can increase the risk of fracture.

What are common symptoms of a knee fracture?

Symptoms may include significant pain, swelling, bruising, tenderness, difficulty bending or straightening the knee, inability to bear weight, and visible deformity in more severe injuries.

Does every knee fracture require surgery?

How is a knee fracture diagnosed?

Your orthopaedic surgeon will review your symptoms and how the injury occurred and perform a physical examination. X-rays are commonly used to evaluate fractures. CT or MRI may be recommended in selected cases to provide additional information about the bone, joint surface, ligaments, cartilage, or other soft tissues.

What types of knee fractures may require surgery?

Surgery may be necessary for certain displaced or unstable fractures of the patella, distal femur, or proximal tibia. The appropriate surgical approach depends on the location and pattern of the fracture and whether the joint surface or surrounding structures are involved.

What is open reduction and internal fixation?

Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) is a surgical technique used to realign a fracture and hold the bone fragments in position with orthopaedic hardware such as plates, screws, pins, or wires. It may be used for selected fractures around the knee.

What happens during knee fracture surgery?

The exact procedure depends on the type of fracture. The surgeon may realign the broken bone and stabilize it using appropriate fixation hardware. If the fracture involves the joint surface or has caused substantial bone or soft-tissue damage, additional treatment may be necessary.

Will I be able to walk after knee fracture surgery?

Weight-bearing restrictions vary according to the type of fracture, surgical repair, bone healing, and your surgeon's instructions. Some patients may initially need crutches, a walker, or another assistive device while the fracture heals.

How long does recovery from a knee fracture take?

Recovery depends on the location and severity of the fracture, the type of treatment, overall health, and how the bone heals. Rehabilitation may continue for several weeks or months, with gradual progression of knee motion, strength, and weight-bearing as permitted.

Is physical therapy necessary after knee fracture surgery?

Physical therapy is often an important part of recovery, although the specific program varies by injury and treatment. Exercises may focus on restoring knee range of motion, muscle strength, balance, walking ability, and overall function.

What are the risks of knee fracture surgery?

Potential complications can include infection, bleeding, blood clots, nerve or blood vessel injury, stiffness, instability, problems with bone healing, hardware-related problems, and the possibility of additional surgery. Your individual risks depend on the injury and treatment performed.

Can a knee fracture cause arthritis?

Some fractures that involve the knee joint can increase the risk of developing post-traumatic arthritis. Proper diagnosis and treatment of the fracture are important for restoring alignment and protecting joint function as much as possible.

When should I see an orthopaedic surgeon for a knee injury?

Significant pain, swelling, deformity, inability to bear weight, or difficulty moving the knee after an injury should be evaluated promptly. If a fracture is suspected, timely medical assessment can help determine whether immobilization, surgery, or another treatment is needed.

Schedule a Knee Fracture Consultation in Colorado Springs

A knee fracture can affect your ability to walk, work, exercise, and perform everyday activities. Getting an accurate diagnosis and individualized treatment plan is an important part of recovery.

Contact Dr. Michael Van Manen, DO, in Colorado Springs, Colorado, for evaluation and treatment of knee fractures and other orthopaedic injuries. Whether your fracture can be treated without surgery or requires surgical stabilization, an appropriate treatment plan can help support bone healing and the return of knee function.