Knee Fracture Surgery in Colorado Springs, CO
A knee fracture can involve the patella (kneecap), tibia (shinbone), or femur (thighbone) around the knee joint. Depending on the location and severity of the fracture, treatment may range from immobilization and protected weight-bearing to surgical repair.
Knee fracture surgery in Colorado Springs, CO may be recommended when a fracture is displaced, unstable, involves the joint surface, or cannot be adequately treated with nonsurgical care. Surgical treatment may involve fixation with plates, screws, wires, or other implants to restore alignment and stability.
Dr. Tyler Bron, MD, is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon specializing in adult reconstruction and hip and knee conditions. During an evaluation, Dr. Bron can assess the nature of your injury using a physical examination and appropriate imaging to help determine the most suitable treatment for your knee fracture.
Tyler Bron, M.D.
Board-certified Orthopaedic SurgeonDr. Bron completed his fellowship in Adult Reconstruction, specializing in the treatment of arthritic hip & knee conditions at the University of Colorado in Aurora. He received specialized training in dealing with complex injuries of the hip and knee & has a particular interest in the treatment of hip arthritis through a muscle-sparing Anterior Approach. Dr. Bron works diligently with each & every patient to customize treatment plans & optimize outcomes to meet the patient’s individual goals.
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. Tyler Bron for Knee Fracture Surgery in Colorado Springs?
Knee fractures can vary significantly in their location, severity, and effect on joint function. Treatment needs to be tailored to the specific injury and the patient's overall health and goals.
- Board-certified orthopaedic surgeon: Bron is board certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery.
- Specialized orthopaedic training: He completed orthopaedic surgery residency training through the University of Kansas and an adult reconstruction fellowship at the University of Colorado.
- Knee-focused care: His practice includes treatment of knee conditions and surgical procedures involving joint reconstruction and replacement.
- Individualized treatment planning: Fracture treatment depends on factors such as displacement, fracture pattern, joint involvement, stability, bone quality, and associated injuries. Dr. Bron evaluates these factors when developing a treatment plan.
- Comprehensive treatment options: Depending on the injury, treatment may include nonsurgical management, surgical fixation, or joint reconstruction when significant joint damage is present.
- Patient-centered communication: Bron emphasizes understanding each patient's concerns and goals and maintaining open communication throughout the treatment process.
Knee Fracture Surgery FAQs
A knee fracture is a break or crack in a bone forming or surrounding the knee joint. It may involve the patella, tibia, or femur.
Knee fractures commonly result from falls, motor vehicle accidents, sports injuries, or direct impact to the knee. Severe forces or certain muscle contractions can also cause particular types of fractures.
Symptoms may include significant pain, swelling, bruising, tenderness, difficulty bending or straightening the knee, difficulty bearing weight, and visible deformity in more severe injuries.
No. Some stable or nondisplaced fractures may be treated with immobilization, bracing, activity modification, and protected weight-bearing. Surgery may be necessary when a fracture is displaced, unstable, involves the joint surface, or cannot heal properly with nonsurgical treatment.
Diagnosis generally begins with a review of how the injury occurred, your symptoms and medical history, and a physical examination. X-rays are commonly used to identify fractures. CT or MRI may be recommended in selected cases to provide additional information about the bone, joint surface, or surrounding soft tissues.
The procedure depends on the specific injury. Surgical treatment may include open reduction and internal fixation using plates, screws, wires, or other fixation devices. In selected cases with severe joint damage, other reconstructive procedures may be considered.
Open reduction and internal fixation, or ORIF, is a surgical technique used to realign a broken bone and hold the fragments in position with implants such as plates, screws, or wires while the bone heals.
Yes. Some kneecap fractures can be treated without surgery, while displaced or unstable fractures may require surgical fixation. The appropriate treatment depends on the fracture pattern and how well the kneecap can maintain normal alignment and function.
A fracture involving the knee joint can sometimes increase the risk of post-traumatic arthritis, particularly when the joint surface has been significantly damaged. Proper evaluation and treatment are important for restoring alignment and joint function.
Recovery varies according to the type and severity of the fracture, the surgical procedure, bone healing, overall health, and rehabilitation needs. Your surgeon will provide individualized instructions regarding weight-bearing, mobility, physical therapy, and return to activities.
Physical therapy may be recommended to help restore knee motion, strength, balance, and function. The timing and extent of rehabilitation depend on the fracture and the treatment performed.
Severe knee pain following an injury, significant swelling or deformity, inability to bear weight, or difficulty moving the knee warrants prompt medical evaluation. If the injury is severe or there is concern about circulation, sensation, or an open wound, seek emergency medical care.
Potential complications include infection, bleeding, blood clots, nerve or blood vessel injury, stiffness, instability, delayed or incomplete bone healing, implant-related problems, persistent pain, and the possibility of additional surgery. Your surgeon will discuss the risks specific to your injury and procedure.
Schedule a Knee Fracture Consultation in Colorado Springs, CO
A knee fracture should be evaluated promptly to determine the extent of the injury and whether nonsurgical or surgical treatment is appropriate. Dr. Tyler Bron provides orthopaedic knee care in Colorado Springs, CO, with treatment plans tailored to each patient's injury and needs.
Contact Colorado Springs Orthopaedic Group to schedule an evaluation with Dr. Bron and discuss your knee fracture treatment options in Colorado Springs.
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