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Treatment

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

Treatment is dependent on the type of fracture. In general:

  • large displaced fragments should be perfectly reduced and fixed in position - usually by open operation

  • large depressed fragments may be elevated back into position by pushing upwards from below, with the residual osteoarticular cavity packed with a cancellous bone graft - either from the femoral condyles or the iliac crest

  • comminuted fractures with slight depression in the plateau, comminuted fractures in elderly or unfit patients, and complex fractures, are usually managed conservatively - the fracture is reduced closed, and after the joint has been aspirated, held by skeletal traction. The patient is mobilised early - either with active exercises or initially, through a Continuous Passive Motion - CPM - machine

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