How Do I Treat a Knee Fracture?
The question of how to treat a knee fracture is a little difficult to answer, unless the person asking it is a doctor. In virtually all cases, the potential damage from broken bones in the knees, which include the patella (kneecap), femur, or tibia, are too serious to self-treat. Ignoring the problem by failing to get to a doctor could significantly worsen the situation. It’s therefore highly recommended that people treat a knee fracture by seeking medical care right away.
It first may be useful to know a little more about the symptoms that can occur with a knee fracture, so a person can know when to suspect one. The knee is often painful and usually exhibits at least some swelling. People may have trouble standing on the leg that was injured, and some experience mild shock reaction like chills, paleness of skin, and vomiting or nausea.
Fractures may happen under a lot of circumstances and might occur with a direct blow to the knee, a fall on the knee, as a result of a car accident, or from a fall at a height, like falling off a ladder, a chair or down the stairs. Occasionally, fractures occur from repeated stress on the knee joint. Stress fractures frequently affect the femur or tibia, the leg bones that end at the knee, and are less likely to cause damage to the patella.
As previously stated, treating a knee fracture means getting to the doctor, but there may be some waiting time before a doctor can be seen; during this time, stabilizing, slightly elevating, and icing the knee are the most appropriate measures. Stabilization can be accomplished with a stretchy bandage or with splinting, but be wary of degree of swelling and don’t wrap too tight. Ice on the injured knee or other good substitutes like cold packs, frozen peas, corn or blueberries, should be used for 15-20 minutes at a time, every three to four hours. Elevate it to help reduce swelling, though if extreme pain occurs with elevation, this step may need to be avoided.
At a doctor’s office or at a hospital, the knee will be examined and x-rays or other scans are usually performed to diagnose injury. Treatment may depend on extent of knee fracture and the bone that is fractured. It’s not uncommon for people with serious fractures to require surgery to stabilize or restore bone, and afterwards these folks may wear a cast or brace for some time. Others may need only a cast or brace.
Given the amount of use that the knee joint gets, injury to it is taken very seriously. After bone healing, or even during it, doctors may also recommend physical therapy so that integrity and function of the joint is unaffected in the future. Another potential treatment in early days is medication to address discomfort. A small to moderate amount of pain is usually expected, especially if a person has had surgery. When the knee fracture is more minor and doesn’t require surgery, casting or stabilizing it may relieve pain fully, though using crutches to walk may mitigate in some respects.
Written by Tricia Ellis-Christensen
