Skip to content

Patients › Knee

ਡਿਸਟਲ ਫ਼ੀਮਰ ਫ੍ਰੈਕਚਰ (ਗੋਡੇ ਦੇ ਬਿਲਕੁਲ ਉੱਪਰ ਪੱਟ ਦੀ ਹੱਡੀ ਦਾ ਟੁੱਟਣਾ)

Updated Sep 2026
Illustration: knee

ਇਹ ਪੰਨਾ ਮਸ਼ੀਨ ਦੁਆਰਾ ਅਨੁਵਾਦ ਕੀਤਾ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ ਅਤੇ ਹਾਲੇ ਤੱਕ ਕਿਸੇ ਡਾਕਟਰ ਦੁਆਰਾ ਜਾਂਚਿਆ ਨਹੀਂ ਗਿਆ। ਅੰਗਰੇਜ਼ੀ ਸੰਸਕਰਣ ਹੀ ਅਧਿਕਾਰਤ ਹੈ।

ਤੁਸੀਂ ਕੀ ਮਹਿਸੂਸ ਕਰਦੇ ਹੋ

ਪੱਟ ਦੀ ਹੱਡੀ ਦਾ ਹੇਠਲਾ ਸਿਰਾ, ਗੋਡੇ ਦੇ ਬਿਲਕੁਲ ਉੱਪਰ, ਟੁੱਟ ਜਾਵੇ ਤਾਂ ਟੁੱਟੀ ਥਾਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਦਰਦ ਹੁੰਦਾ ਹੈ। ਦਰਦ ਆਮ ਤੌਰ 'ਤੇ ਸ਼ੁਰੂ ਵਿੱਚ ਤਿੱਖਾ ਹੁੰਦਾ ਹੈ ਅਤੇ ਫਿਰ ਡੂੰਘੀ ਦੁਖਣ ਵਿੱਚ ਬਦਲ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ। ਖੜ੍ਹੇ ਹੋਣਾ, ਲੱਤ ਉੱਤੇ ਭਾਰ ਪਾਉਣਾ, ਗੋਡਾ ਮੋੜਨਾ ਅਤੇ ਉਸ ਲੱਤ ਉੱਤੇ ਘੁੰਮਣਾ, ਇਹ ਸਭ ਇਸ ਨੂੰ ਵਧਾਉਂਦੇ ਹਨ। ਲੱਤ ਨੂੰ ਸਥਿਰ ਅਤੇ ਸਹਾਰਾ ਦੇ ਕੇ ਆਰਾਮ ਕਰਨ ਨਾਲ ਇਹ ਘਟਦਾ ਹੈ।

ਦੁਖਣ ਅਕਸਰ ਰਾਤ ਨੂੰ ਅਤੇ ਸਵੇਰੇ ਉੱਠਦੇ ਸਾਰ ਵਧ ਜਾਂਦੀ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਪੈਰਾਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਰਹਿਣ ਤੋਂ ਬਾਅਦ ਧੜਕ ਸਕਦੀ ਹੈ। ਗੋਡੇ ਦੀ ਛੋਟੀ ਜਿਹੀ ਹਿੱਲਜੁੱਲ ਵੀ ਦਰਦ ਕਰ ਸਕਦੀ ਹੈ, ਕਿਉਂਕਿ ਟੁੱਟ ਬਿਲਕੁਲ ਉੱਥੇ ਹੈ ਜਿੱਥੇ ਪੱਟ ਦੀ ਹੱਡੀ ਗੋਡੇ ਦੇ ਜੋੜ ਨਾਲ ਮਿਲਦੀ ਹੈ। ਕੁਝ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਗੋਡਾ ਅਸਥਿਰ ਮਹਿਸੂਸ ਹੁੰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਜਿਵੇਂ ਇਹ ਉਹਨਾਂ ਦਾ ਭਾਰ ਨਹੀਂ ਝੱਲੇਗਾ।

ਰੋਜ਼ਾਨਾ ਜ਼ਿੰਦਗੀ ਵਿੱਚ, ਲੱਤ ਨੂੰ ਵਰਤਣਾ ਔਖਾ ਹੁੰਦਾ ਹੈ। ਥੋੜ੍ਹੀ ਦੂਰ ਤੁਰਨਾ, ਪੌੜੀਆਂ ਚੜ੍ਹਨਾ, ਨੀਵੀਂ ਕੁਰਸੀ ਤੋਂ ਉੱਠਣਾ ਅਤੇ ਸ਼ਾਵਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਪੈਰ ਰੱਖਣਾ, ਇਹ ਸਭ ਮੁਸ਼ਕਲ ਹੋ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ। ਤੁਹਾਨੂੰ ਫੌਹੜੀਆਂ (crutches) ਜਾਂ ਵਾਕਰ (walking frame) ਦੀ ਲੋੜ ਪੈ ਸਕਦੀ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਤੁਰਦੇ ਹੋਏ ਚੀਜ਼ਾਂ ਚੁੱਕਣਾ ਔਖਾ ਹੁੰਦਾ ਹੈ। ਉਸ ਪਾਸੇ ਸੌਣਾ, ਗੱਡੀ ਚਲਾਉਣਾ ਅਤੇ ਗੱਡੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਚੜ੍ਹਨਾ-ਉਤਰਨਾ ਵੀ ਮੁਸ਼ਕਲ ਹੋ ਸਕਦਾ ਹੈ।

ਇਹ ਸੱਟ ਵੱਡੀ ਉਮਰ ਦੇ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਜ਼ਿਆਦਾ ਆਮ ਹੈ, ਖ਼ਾਸ ਕਰਕੇ 60 ਸਾਲ ਤੋਂ ਬਾਅਦ ਔਰਤਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ, ਅਤੇ ਅਕਸਰ ਉਦੋਂ ਹੁੰਦੀ ਹੈ ਜਦੋਂ ਹੱਡੀ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ ਹੀ ਪਤਲੀ ਹੋ ਚੁੱਕੀ ਹੁੰਦੀ ਹੈ। ਵੱਡੀ ਉਮਰ ਦੇ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਇਹ ਗੰਭੀਰ ਸੱਟ ਹੋ ਸਕਦੀ ਹੈ। ਰਿਟਾਇਰਮੈਂਟ ਦੀ ਉਮਰ ਤੋਂ ਵੱਡੇ ਜਿਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਇਹ ਫ੍ਰੈਕਚਰ (ਹੱਡੀ ਦਾ ਟੁੱਟਣਾ) ਹੁੰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਉਹਨਾਂ ਵਿੱਚੋਂ ਲਗਭਗ 4 ਵਿੱਚੋਂ 1 ਇਸ ਤੋਂ ਬਾਅਦ ਵਾਲਾ ਸਾਲ ਜਿਊਂਦਾ ਨਹੀਂ ਰਹਿੰਦਾ, ਅਤੇ ਇਸ ਉਮਰ ਵਰਗ ਵਿੱਚ ਸਰਜਰੀ ਤੋਂ ਬਾਅਦ ਡਾਕਟਰੀ ਸਮੱਸਿਆਵਾਂ ਆਮ ਹਨ। ਇਹ ਇੱਕ ਕਾਰਨ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਆਮ ਤੌਰ 'ਤੇ ਸਰਜਰੀ ਦੀ ਸਲਾਹ ਦਿੱਤੀ ਜਾਂਦੀ ਹੈ: ਹੱਡੀ ਨੂੰ ਸਥਿਰ ਰੱਖਣ ਨਾਲ ਤੁਸੀਂ ਛੇਤੀ ਉੱਠ ਕੇ ਹਿੱਲਣਾ-ਜੁੱਲਣਾ ਸ਼ੁਰੂ ਕਰ ਸਕਦੇ ਹੋ, ਜੋ ਤੁਹਾਡੀ ਸਿਹਤ ਅਤੇ ਆਤਮ-ਨਿਰਭਰਤਾ ਲਈ ਮਾਇਨੇ ਰੱਖਦਾ ਹੈ।

ਠੀਕ ਹੋਣ ਵਿੱਚ ਸਮਾਂ ਲੱਗਦਾ ਹੈ। ਆਧੁਨਿਕ ਇਲਾਜ ਦੇ ਬਾਵਜੂਦ, ਇੱਕ ਸਾਲ ਬਾਅਦ ਵੀ ਲੱਤ ਪੂਰੀ ਤਰ੍ਹਾਂ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ ਵਰਗੀ ਮਹਿਸੂਸ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੋ ਸਕਦੀ, ਅਤੇ ਤੁਹਾਡੀ ਜ਼ਿੰਦਗੀ ਦੀ ਗੁਣਵੱਤਾ ਉੱਤੇ ਸੱਟ ਦਾ ਅਸਰ 12 ਮਹੀਨਿਆਂ ਤੱਕ ਰਹਿ ਸਕਦਾ ਹੈ। ਤੁਹਾਡੇ ਗੋਡੇ ਅਤੇ ਚੂਲੇ (ਕੂਲ੍ਹੇ ਦਾ ਜੋੜ, hip) ਦੀ ਹਿੱਲਜੁੱਲ ਆਮ ਤੌਰ 'ਤੇ ਸਮੇਂ ਨਾਲ ਵਾਪਸ ਆ ਜਾਂਦੀ ਹੈ।

ਅਸਲ ਵਿੱਚ ਕੀ ਹੋ ਰਿਹਾ ਹੈ

ਪੱਟ ਦੀ ਹੱਡੀ ਦਾ ਇੱਕ ਚੌੜਾ ਡੰਡਾ ਹੁੰਦਾ ਹੈ ਅਤੇ ਇੱਕ ਹੇਠਲਾ ਸਿਰਾ ਜੋ ਚੌੜਾ ਹੋ ਕੇ ਦੋ ਗੋਲ ਉੱਭਾਰਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਬਦਲ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ, ਗੋਡੇ ਦੇ ਹਰ ਪਾਸੇ ਇੱਕ। ਇਹ ਉੱਭਾਰ ਗੋਡੇ ਦੇ ਜੋੜ ਦਾ ਅੱਧਾ ਹਿੱਸਾ ਬਣਾਉਂਦੇ ਹਨ ਅਤੇ ਚਿਕਨੀ ਕਾਰਟੀਲੇਜ (cartilage, ਜੋੜ ਵਿੱਚ ਹੱਡੀਆਂ ਦੇ ਸਿਰਿਆਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਚਿਕਨੀ ਪਰਤ) ਨਾਲ ਢਕੇ ਹੁੰਦੇ ਹਨ ਤਾਂ ਜੋ ਜੋੜ ਨਰਮੀ ਨਾਲ ਚੱਲੇ। ਡਿਸਟਲ ਫ਼ੀਮਰ ਫ੍ਰੈਕਚਰ (distal femur fracture) ਇਸ ਹੇਠਲੇ ਸਿਰੇ ਵਿੱਚ, ਗੋਡੇ ਦੇ ਬਿਲਕੁਲ ਉੱਪਰ, ਹੱਡੀ ਦਾ ਟੁੱਟਣਾ ਹੈ। ਜਦੋਂ ਹੱਡੀ ਇੱਥੇ ਟੁੱਟਦੀ ਹੈ, ਤਾਂ ਖੁਰਦਰੇ ਟੁੱਟੇ ਕੰਢੇ ਅਤੇ ਹੱਡੀ ਦੀ ਸਥਿਤੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਕੋਈ ਵੀ ਖਿਸਕਾਅ ਹੀ ਤਿੱਖੇ ਦਰਦ ਦਾ ਅਤੇ ਇਸ ਅਹਿਸਾਸ ਦਾ ਕਾਰਨ ਬਣਦੇ ਹਨ ਕਿ ਗੋਡਾ ਤੁਹਾਡਾ ਭਾਰ ਨਹੀਂ ਝੱਲੇਗਾ।

ਟੁੱਟ ਇਸ ਗੱਲ ਉੱਤੇ ਵੀ ਅਸਰ ਪਾ ਸਕਦੀ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਗੋਡੇ ਦੀ ਸੇਧ ਕਿਵੇਂ ਹੈ। ਭਾਰ ਜੋੜ ਵਿੱਚੋਂ ਬਰਾਬਰ ਲੰਘੇ, ਇਸ ਲਈ ਦੋਵੇਂ ਉੱਭਾਰਾਂ ਦਾ ਇੱਕ ਦੂਜੇ ਦੇ ਬਰਾਬਰ ਪੱਧਰ ਉੱਤੇ ਹੋਣਾ ਜ਼ਰੂਰੀ ਹੈ। ਜੇ ਟੁੱਟ ਕਰਕੇ ਇੱਕ ਪਾਸਾ ਹੇਠਾਂ ਆ ਜਾਵੇ ਜਾਂ ਜੋੜ ਦੀ ਸਤ੍ਹਾ ਵਿੱਚ ਪੌੜੀ ਵਰਗਾ ਫ਼ਰਕ ਪੈ ਜਾਵੇ, ਤਾਂ ਭਾਰ ਅਸਮਾਨ ਢੰਗ ਨਾਲ ਪੈਂਦਾ ਹੈ, ਜਿਸ ਨਾਲ ਸਮੇਂ ਦੇ ਨਾਲ ਕਾਰਟੀਲੇਜ ਜ਼ਿਆਦਾ ਤੇਜ਼ੀ ਨਾਲ ਘਿਸ ਸਕਦੀ ਹੈ। ਗੋਡੇ ਨੂੰ ਲਿਗਾਮੈਂਟ (ligament, ਹੱਡੀ ਨੂੰ ਹੱਡੀ ਨਾਲ ਜੋੜਨ ਵਾਲਾ ਬੰਧਨ) ਕਹਾਉਣ ਵਾਲੇ ਮਜ਼ਬੂਤ ਪਟੇ ਵੀ ਜੋੜ ਕੇ ਰੱਖਦੇ ਹਨ, ਅਤੇ ਇਹ ਹੱਡੀ ਦੇ ਉਸੇ ਹਿੱਸੇ ਨਾਲ ਜੁੜੇ ਹੁੰਦੇ ਹਨ ਜੋ ਟੁੱਟਿਆ ਹੈ, ਇਸ ਲਈ ਜਦੋਂ ਤੱਕ ਹੱਡੀ ਨੂੰ ਸਥਿਰ ਨਹੀਂ ਕੀਤਾ ਜਾਂਦਾ, ਜੋੜ ਢਿੱਲਾ ਮਹਿਸੂਸ ਹੋ ਸਕਦਾ ਹੈ।

ਇਹ ਸੱਟ ਆਮ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਫ੍ਰੈਕਚਰਾਂ ਦਾ ਲਗਭਗ 0.5% ਬਣਦੀ ਹੈ। ਇਹ ਵੱਡੀ ਉਮਰ ਦੇ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ, ਖ਼ਾਸ ਕਰਕੇ ਔਰਤਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ, ਜ਼ਿਆਦਾ ਹੁੰਦੀ ਹੈ, ਕਿਉਂਕਿ ਉਦੋਂ ਤੱਕ ਹੱਡੀ ਅਕਸਰ ਪਤਲੀ ਹੋ ਚੁੱਕੀ ਹੁੰਦੀ ਹੈ। ਨੌਜਵਾਨਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਇਸ ਲਈ ਆਮ ਤੌਰ 'ਤੇ ਵੱਡੇ ਜ਼ੋਰ ਦੀ ਲੋੜ ਹੁੰਦੀ ਹੈ, ਜਿਵੇਂ ਕਾਰ ਹਾਦਸਾ ਜਾਂ ਉਚਾਈ ਤੋਂ ਡਿੱਗਣਾ। ਵੱਡੀ ਉਮਰ ਦੇ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਇਹ ਲੱਤ ਦੇ ਭਾਰ ਇੱਕ ਸਾਧਾਰਨ ਡਿੱਗਣ ਨਾਲ ਵੀ ਹੋ ਸਕਦੀ ਹੈ।

ਕਿਉਂਕਿ ਹੱਡੀ ਟੁਕੜਿਆਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਟੁੱਟ ਕੇ ਖਿਸਕ ਚੁੱਕੀ ਹੁੰਦੀ ਹੈ, ਇਹ ਘੱਟ ਹੀ ਆਪਣੇ ਆਪ ਥਾਂ ਸਿਰ ਟਿਕੀ ਰਹਿੰਦੀ ਹੈ। ਇਸੇ ਕਰਕੇ ਆਮ ਤੌਰ 'ਤੇ ਸਰਜਰੀ ਦੀ ਸਲਾਹ ਦਿੱਤੀ ਜਾਂਦੀ ਹੈ: ਹੱਡੀ ਦੇ ਜੁੜਨ ਦੌਰਾਨ ਉਸ ਨੂੰ ਪਲੇਟ ਜਾਂ ਰਾਡ ਅਤੇ ਸਕਰੂਆਂ ਨਾਲ ਸਹੀ ਸਥਿਤੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਫੜ ਕੇ ਰੱਖਿਆ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ। ਟੁਕੜਿਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਸਥਿਰ ਰੱਖਣ ਨਾਲ ਤੁਸੀਂ ਗੋਡੇ ਨੂੰ ਛੇਤੀ ਹਿਲਾਉਣਾ ਵੀ ਸ਼ੁਰੂ ਕਰ ਸਕਦੇ ਹੋ, ਜੋ ਅਕੜਾਅ ਨੂੰ ਰੋਕਣ ਵਿੱਚ ਮਦਦ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ। ਇਸ ਸੱਟ ਦੇ ਮੁੱਖ ਖ਼ਤਰੇ ਇਹ ਹਨ ਕਿ ਹੱਡੀ ਬਿਲਕੁਲ ਨਾ ਜੁੜੇ, ਜਾਂ ਗ਼ਲਤ ਸਥਿਤੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਜੁੜੇ, ਅਤੇ ਜਦੋਂ ਹੱਡੀ ਦੀ ਗੁਣਵੱਤਾ ਮਾੜੀ ਹੋਵੇ ਤਾਂ ਇਹ ਖ਼ਤਰੇ ਜ਼ਿਆਦਾ ਹੁੰਦੇ ਹਨ।

ਅਸੀਂ ਇਸ ਬਾਰੇ ਕੀ ਕਰ ਸਕਦੇ ਹਾਂ

ਕੋਈ ਵੀ ਫ਼ੈਸਲਾ ਕਰਨ ਤੋਂ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ, ਅਸੀਂ ਟੁੱਟ ਦਾ ਠੀਕ-ਠੀਕ ਨਮੂਨਾ ਪਤਾ ਕਰਦੇ ਹਾਂ। ਸਾਧਾਰਨ ਐਕਸ-ਰੇ ਆਮ ਤੌਰ 'ਤੇ ਪਹਿਲਾ ਕਦਮ ਹੁੰਦੇ ਹਨ। ਕਈ ਵਾਰ ਐਕਸ-ਰੇ ਲੱਤ ਉੱਤੇ ਭਾਰ ਪਾਏ ਬਿਨਾਂ ਲਏ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ, ਕਿਉਂਕਿ ਇਸ ਨਾਲ ਹੱਡੀ ਦੇ ਹੋਰ ਖਿਸਕਣ ਦਾ ਖ਼ਤਰਾ ਲਏ ਬਿਨਾਂ ਸੱਟ ਦਿਸ ਜਾਂਦੀ ਹੈ। CT ਸਕੈਨ, ਜੋ ਐਕਸ-ਰੇ ਤੋਂ ਵਿਸਥਾਰ ਵਾਲੀਆਂ ਤਸਵੀਰਾਂ ਬਣਾਉਂਦਾ ਹੈ, ਗੋਡੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਟੁੱਟ ਦੀਆਂ ਲਕੀਰਾਂ ਅਤੇ ਕੋਈ ਵੀ ਖਿਸਕਾਅ ਦਿਖਾ ਸਕਦਾ ਹੈ। ਜੋੜ ਦੀ ਸਤ੍ਹਾ ਤੱਕ ਜਾਣ ਵਾਲੀਆਂ ਗੁੰਝਲਦਾਰ ਟੁੱਟਾਂ ਲਈ, ਤਿੰਨ-ਆਯਾਮੀ (3D) CT ਤਸਵੀਰ ਓਪਰੇਸ਼ਨ ਦੀ ਯੋਜਨਾ ਬਣਾਉਣ ਵਿੱਚ ਮਦਦ ਕਰ ਸਕਦੀ ਹੈ।

ਇਸ ਫ੍ਰੈਕਚਰ ਵਾਲੇ ਜ਼ਿਆਦਾਤਰ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਲਈ, ਸਰਜਰੀ ਨਾਲ ਹੱਡੀ ਨੂੰ ਸਥਿਰ ਕਰਨਾ ਹੀ ਇਲਾਜ ਹੈ। ਟੀਚਾ ਟੁੱਟੇ ਟੁਕੜਿਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਸਹੀ ਸੇਧ ਵਿੱਚ ਲਿਆਉਣਾ ਅਤੇ ਹੱਡੀ ਦੇ ਜੁੜਨ ਤੱਕ ਉਹਨਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਉੱਥੇ ਟਿਕਾ ਕੇ ਰੱਖਣਾ ਹੈ। ਇਹ ਧਾਤ ਦੇ ਇੰਪਲਾਂਟਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਕੀਤਾ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ, ਜ਼ਿਆਦਾਤਰ ਪੱਟ ਦੀ ਹੱਡੀ ਦੇ ਖੋਖਲੇ ਵਿਚਕਾਰਲੇ ਹਿੱਸੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਹੇਠਾਂ ਵੱਲ ਪਾਈ ਗਈ ਰਾਡ ਨਾਲ, ਜਾਂ ਹੱਡੀ ਦੇ ਬਾਹਰਲੇ ਪਾਸੇ ਦੇ ਨਾਲ ਲਗਾਈ ਪਲੇਟ ਅਤੇ ਸਕਰੂਆਂ ਨਾਲ। ਚੋਣ ਟੁੱਟ ਦੇ ਨਮੂਨੇ, ਤੁਹਾਡੀ ਹੱਡੀ ਦੀ ਗੁਣਵੱਤਾ ਅਤੇ ਤੁਹਾਡੇ ਗੋਡੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਨਿਰਭਰ ਕਰਦੀ ਹੈ। ਜੇ ਟੁੱਟ ਨੇ ਚਮੜੀ ਨੂੰ ਪਾੜ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਹੋਵੇ, ਤਾਂ ਨਰਮ ਟਿਸ਼ੂਆਂ ਦੇ ਸ਼ਾਂਤ ਹੋਣ ਤੱਕ ਬਾਹਰੀ ਫ਼ਰੇਮ (external frame) ਹੱਡੀ ਨੂੰ ਬਾਹਰੋਂ ਫੜ ਕੇ ਰੱਖ ਸਕਦਾ ਹੈ। ਜਦੋਂ ਨੇੜੇ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ ਕੀਤੀ ਗੋਡਾ ਬਦਲਣ ਜਾਂ ਚੂਲਾ ਬਦਲਣ ਦੀ ਸਰਜਰੀ ਹੋਵੇ, ਤਾਂ ਅਸੀਂ ਹੱਡੀ ਨੂੰ ਜੋੜਨ ਦੀ ਯੋਜਨਾ ਇਸ ਤਰ੍ਹਾਂ ਬਣਾਉਂਦੇ ਹਾਂ ਕਿ ਇਹ ਫ੍ਰੈਕਚਰ ਦੇ ਉੱਪਰ ਅਤੇ ਹੇਠਾਂ ਕਾਫ਼ੀ ਤੰਦਰੁਸਤ ਹੱਡੀ ਨੂੰ ਫੜੇ।

ਕੁਝ ਟੁੱਟਾਂ ਸਾਧਾਰਨ ਹੁੰਦੀਆਂ ਹਨ, ਜਿਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਦੋ ਟੁਕੜਿਆਂ ਵਿਚਕਾਰ ਇੱਕ ਸਾਫ਼ ਦਰਾੜ ਹੁੰਦੀ ਹੈ। ਇਹਨਾਂ ਮਾਮਲਿਆਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਦਰਾੜ ਦੇ ਆਰ-ਪਾਰ ਇੱਕ ਸਕਰੂ ਪਾੜੇ ਨੂੰ ਬੰਦ ਰੱਖ ਸਕਦਾ ਹੈ, ਜੋ ਹੱਡੀ ਨੂੰ ਤੇਜ਼ੀ ਨਾਲ ਜੁੜਨ ਵਿੱਚ ਮਦਦ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ। ਜੇ ਹੱਡੀ ਕਈ ਟੁਕੜਿਆਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਟੁੱਟੀ ਹੋਵੇ, ਤਾਂ ਕਈ ਵਾਰ ਹੱਡੀ ਦੇ ਦੂਜੇ ਪਾਸੇ ਇੱਕ ਦੂਜੀ ਪਲੇਟ ਵੀ ਲਗਾਈ ਜਾਂਦੀ ਹੈ। ਇਸ ਨਾਲ 6 ਮਹੀਨਿਆਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਗੋਡੇ ਦੀ ਹਿੱਲਜੁੱਲ ਬਿਹਤਰ ਹੋ ਸਕਦੀ ਹੈ, ਕੁੱਲ ਮਿਲਾ ਕੇ ਪੇਚੀਦਗੀਆਂ ਘਟ ਸਕਦੀਆਂ ਹਨ, ਅਤੇ ਹੱਡੀ ਦੇ ਗ਼ਲਤ ਸਥਿਤੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਜੁੜਨ ਦਾ ਮੌਕਾ ਘਟ ਸਕਦਾ ਹੈ।

ਜੇ ਹੱਡੀ ਨਾ ਜੁੜੇ, ਤਾਂ ਹੋਰ ਸਰਜਰੀ ਦੀ ਲੋੜ ਪੈ ਸਕਦੀ ਹੈ। ਇਸ ਦਾ ਮਤਲਬ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਲੱਗੀ ਰਾਡ ਦੇ ਨਾਲ ਇੱਕ ਪਲੇਟ ਜੋੜਨਾ ਹੋ ਸਕਦਾ ਹੈ, ਕਈ ਵਾਰ ਟੁੱਟ ਨੂੰ ਠੀਕ ਹੋਣ ਵਿੱਚ ਮਦਦ ਲਈ ਤੁਹਾਡੀ ਆਪਣੀ ਹੱਡੀ ਦੇ ਗ੍ਰਾਫਟ (graft, ਤੁਹਾਡੇ ਸਰੀਰ ਤੋਂ ਲਿਆ ਹੱਡੀ ਦਾ ਟੁਕੜਾ) ਨਾਲ। ਅਸੀਂ ਇਹ ਕਿਵੇਂ ਕਰਦੇ ਹਾਂ, ਇਹ ਇਸ ਗੱਲ ਤੋਂ ਤੈਅ ਹੁੰਦਾ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਫ੍ਰੈਕਚਰ ਵਾਲੀ ਥਾਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਖ਼ੂਨ ਦੀ ਸਪਲਾਈ ਬਚੀ ਰਹੇ।

ਕੀ ਉਮੀਦ ਰੱਖੀਏ

ਪੱਟ ਦੀ ਹੱਡੀ ਦੇ ਹੇਠਲੇ ਸਿਰੇ ਦੀਆਂ ਜ਼ਿਆਦਾਤਰ ਟੁੱਟਾਂ ਦਾ ਇਲਾਜ ਸਰਜਰੀ ਨਾਲ ਕੀਤਾ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਹੱਡੀ ਨੂੰ ਸਥਿਰ ਰੱਖਣ ਨਾਲ ਤੁਸੀਂ ਛੇਤੀ ਹਿੱਲਣਾ-ਜੁੱਲਣਾ ਸ਼ੁਰੂ ਕਰ ਸਕਦੇ ਹੋ। ਆਧੁਨਿਕ ਇਲਾਜ ਨਾਲ, ਤੁਹਾਡੇ ਗੋਡੇ ਅਤੇ ਚੂਲੇ ਦੀ ਹਿੱਲਜੁੱਲ ਆਮ ਤੌਰ 'ਤੇ ਸਮੇਂ ਨਾਲ ਵਾਪਸ ਆ ਜਾਂਦੀ ਹੈ। ਪਰ ਠੀਕ ਹੋਣਾ ਇੱਕ ਲੰਬਾ ਸਫ਼ਰ ਹੈ। ਇਸ ਸੱਟ ਦਾ ਤੁਹਾਡੀ ਜ਼ਿੰਦਗੀ ਦੀ ਗੁਣਵੱਤਾ ਉੱਤੇ ਅਸਰ 12 ਮਹੀਨਿਆਂ ਤੱਕ ਰਹਿ ਸਕਦਾ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਉਦੋਂ ਵੀ ਲੱਤ ਪੂਰੀ ਤਰ੍ਹਾਂ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ ਵਰਗੀ ਮਹਿਸੂਸ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੋ ਸਕਦੀ।

ਹੱਡੀ ਦੇ ਜੁੜਨ ਵਿੱਚ ਹੀ ਮਹੀਨੇ ਲੱਗਦੇ ਹਨ, ਹਫ਼ਤੇ ਨਹੀਂ। ਪੱਟ ਦੀ ਹੱਡੀ ਦੇ ਜਿਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਫ੍ਰੈਕਚਰਾਂ ਦਾ ਇਲਾਜ ਵਿਚਕਾਰੋਂ ਪਾਈ ਰਾਡ ਨਾਲ ਕੀਤਾ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ, ਉਹਨਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਹੱਡੀ ਆਮ ਤੌਰ 'ਤੇ ਲਗਭਗ 18 ਹਫ਼ਤਿਆਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਜੁੜ ਜਾਂਦੀ ਹੈ, ਹਾਲਾਂਕਿ ਕੁਝ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਨੂੰ 25 ਹਫ਼ਤਿਆਂ ਤੋਂ ਵੱਧ ਸਮਾਂ ਲੱਗਦਾ ਹੈ। ਜੇ ਹੱਡੀ ਹੌਲੀ ਜੁੜੇ ਜਾਂ ਬਿਲਕੁਲ ਨਾ ਜੁੜੇ, ਤਾਂ ਹੋਰ ਸਰਜਰੀ ਇਸ ਨੂੰ ਠੀਕ ਹੋਣ ਵਿੱਚ ਮਦਦ ਕਰ ਸਕਦੀ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਉਸ ਠੀਕ ਹੋਣ ਵਿੱਚ ਵੀ ਮਹੀਨੇ ਲੱਗਦੇ ਹਨ।

ਮੁੱਖ ਗੱਲਾਂ ਜੋ ਗ਼ਲਤ ਹੋ ਸਕਦੀਆਂ ਹਨ ਉਹ ਇਹ ਹਨ ਕਿ ਹੱਡੀ ਬਿਲਕੁਲ ਨਾ ਜੁੜੇ, ਜਾਂ ਗ਼ਲਤ ਸਥਿਤੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਜੁੜੇ। ਜਦੋਂ ਹੱਡੀ ਪਤਲੀ ਹੋਵੇ ਤਾਂ ਇਹ ਖ਼ਤਰਾ ਜ਼ਿਆਦਾ ਹੁੰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ 70 ਸਾਲ ਤੋਂ ਵੱਡੀ ਉਮਰ ਦੇ ਜਿਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਦੀ ਟੁੱਟ ਗੋਡੇ ਦੇ ਜੋੜ ਤੱਕ ਜਾਂਦੀ ਹੈ, ਉਹਨਾਂ ਵਿੱਚੋਂ ਲਗਭਗ 5 ਵਿੱਚੋਂ 1 ਵਿੱਚ ਹੱਡੀ ਨਹੀਂ ਜੁੜਦੀ (nonunion)। ਜਦੋਂ ਨੇੜੇ ਗੋਡਾ ਜਾਂ ਚੂਲਾ ਬਦਲਿਆ ਹੋਇਆ ਹੋਵੇ, ਤਾਂ ਲਗਭਗ 18% ਵਿੱਚ ਹੱਡੀ ਨਹੀਂ ਜੁੜਦੀ ਅਤੇ ਲਗਭਗ 4 ਵਿੱਚੋਂ 1 ਨੂੰ ਕੋਈ ਨਾ ਕੋਈ ਪੇਚੀਦਗੀ ਹੁੰਦੀ ਹੈ। ਜੇ ਲਾਗ (ਇਨਫੈਕਸ਼ਨ) ਹੋ ਜਾਵੇ ਜਾਂ ਹੱਡੀ ਨਾ ਜੁੜੇ, ਤਾਂ ਪ੍ਰਭਾਵਿਤ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਵਿੱਚੋਂ ਲਗਭਗ ਇੱਕ ਚੌਥਾਈ ਲਈ ਇਹ ਲੰਬੇ ਸਮੇਂ ਦੀ ਸਮੱਸਿਆ ਬਣ ਸਕਦੀ ਹੈ।

ਟੁੱਟ ਨੂੰ ਇਵੇਂ ਹੀ ਛੱਡ ਦੇਣਾ ਘੱਟ ਹੀ ਕੋਈ ਵਿਕਲਪ ਹੁੰਦਾ ਹੈ। ਸਰਜਰੀ ਤੋਂ ਬਿਨਾਂ, ਹੱਡੀ ਘੱਟ ਹੀ ਆਪਣੇ ਆਪ ਥਾਂ ਸਿਰ ਟਿਕੀ ਰਹਿੰਦੀ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਹਫ਼ਤਿਆਂ ਤੱਕ ਬਿਨਾਂ ਹਿੱਲੇ ਲੇਟੇ ਰਹਿਣ ਨਾਲ ਆਪਣੀਆਂ ਸਮੱਸਿਆਵਾਂ ਆਉਂਦੀਆਂ ਹਨ, ਇਸੇ ਕਰਕੇ ਆਮ ਤੌਰ 'ਤੇ ਸਰਜਰੀ ਦੀ ਸਲਾਹ ਦਿੱਤੀ ਜਾਂਦੀ ਹੈ। ਵੱਡੀ ਉਮਰ ਦੇ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਇਹ ਸੱਟ ਗੰਭੀਰ ਹੈ: ਰਿਟਾਇਰਮੈਂਟ ਦੀ ਉਮਰ ਤੋਂ ਵੱਡੇ ਲਗਭਗ 4 ਵਿੱਚੋਂ 1 ਲੋਕ ਉਹ ਸਾਲ ਜਿਊਂਦੇ ਨਹੀਂ ਰਹਿੰਦੇ, ਅਤੇ ਉਸ ਉਮਰ ਵਰਗ ਵਿੱਚ ਸਰਜਰੀ ਤੋਂ ਬਾਅਦ ਡਾਕਟਰੀ ਸਮੱਸਿਆਵਾਂ ਆਮ ਹਨ।

ਅਸਲ ਤਸਵੀਰ ਇਹ ਹੈ। ਇਲਾਜ ਨਾਲ, ਜ਼ਿਆਦਾਤਰ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਸਮੇਂ ਨਾਲ ਗੋਡੇ ਅਤੇ ਚੂਲੇ ਦੀ ਹਿੱਲਜੁੱਲ ਵਾਪਸ ਮਿਲ ਜਾਂਦੀ ਹੈ, ਹਾਲਾਂਕਿ ਇੱਕ ਸਾਲ ਤੱਕ ਲੱਤ ਪੂਰੀ ਤਰ੍ਹਾਂ ਸਾਧਾਰਨ ਮਹਿਸੂਸ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੋ ਸਕਦੀ। ਕੁਝ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਰਾਹ ਵਿੱਚ ਹੋਰ ਸਰਜਰੀ ਦੀ ਲੋੜ ਪੈਂਦੀ ਹੈ। ਤੁਹਾਡਾ ਸਰਜਨ ਐਕਸ-ਰੇ ਨਾਲ ਤੁਹਾਡੇ ਠੀਕ ਹੋਣ ਉੱਤੇ ਨਜ਼ਰ ਰੱਖੇਗਾ ਅਤੇ ਹਰ ਜਾਂਚ ਵੇਲੇ ਤੁਹਾਨੂੰ ਦੱਸੇਗਾ ਕਿ ਤੁਹਾਡੀ ਹੱਡੀ ਕਿਵੇਂ ਜੁੜ ਰਹੀ ਹੈ।

ਡਾਕਟਰ ਨੂੰ ਕਦੋਂ ਮਿਲਣਾ ਚਾਹੀਦਾ ਹੈ

ਇਹ ਸੱਟ ਆਮ ਤੌਰ 'ਤੇ ਆਪਣਾ ਪਤਾ ਆਪ ਦੇ ਦਿੰਦੀ ਹੈ। ਦਰਦ ਅਚਾਨਕ ਅਤੇ ਤੇਜ਼ ਹੁੰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਲੱਤ ਭਾਰ ਨਹੀਂ ਝੱਲ ਸਕਦੀ, ਇਸ ਲਈ ਜ਼ਿਆਦਾਤਰ ਲੋਕ ਸਿੱਧੇ ਐਮਰਜੈਂਸੀ ਵਿਭਾਗ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ। ਜੇ ਤੁਸੀਂ ਡਿੱਗੇ ਹੋ ਜਾਂ ਪੱਟ ਉੱਤੇ ਸੱਟ ਵੱਜੀ ਹੈ ਅਤੇ ਦਰਦ ਤੇਜ਼ ਹੈ, ਲੱਤ ਮੁੜੀ ਹੋਈ ਜਾਂ ਛੋਟੀ ਦਿਸਦੀ ਹੈ, ਜਾਂ ਤੁਸੀਂ ਉਸ ਉੱਤੇ ਖੜ੍ਹੇ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੋ ਸਕਦੇ, ਤਾਂ ਐਮਰਜੈਂਸੀ ਵਿਭਾਗ ਜਾਓ। ਜੇ ਟੁੱਟੀ ਹੱਡੀ ਚਮੜੀ ਵਿੱਚੋਂ ਬਾਹਰ ਨਿਕਲ ਆਈ ਹੈ, ਤਾਂ ਤੁਰੰਤ ਜਾਓ। ਜੇ ਤੁਹਾਡੀ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ ਗੋਡਾ ਬਦਲਣ ਜਾਂ ਚੂਲਾ ਬਦਲਣ ਦੀ ਸਰਜਰੀ ਹੋਈ ਹੈ ਅਤੇ ਹੁਣ ਗੋਡੇ ਦੇ ਬਿਲਕੁਲ ਉੱਪਰ ਅਚਾਨਕ ਦਰਦ ਹੈ, ਤਾਂ ਮਾਹਰ ਡਾਕਟਰ ਤੋਂ ਜਾਂਚ ਲਈ ਕਹੋ, ਕਿਉਂਕਿ ਬਦਲੇ ਹੋਏ ਜੋੜ ਦੇ ਆਲੇ-ਦੁਆਲੇ ਟੁੱਟ ਦੀ ਤੁਰੰਤ ਜਾਂਚ ਜ਼ਰੂਰੀ ਹੈ। ਵੱਡੀ ਉਮਰ ਦੇ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਇਹ ਸੱਟ ਗੰਭੀਰ ਹੈ: ਰਿਟਾਇਰਮੈਂਟ ਦੀ ਉਮਰ ਤੋਂ ਵੱਡੇ ਲਗਭਗ 4 ਵਿੱਚੋਂ 1 ਲੋਕ ਉਹ ਸਾਲ ਜਿਊਂਦੇ ਨਹੀਂ ਰਹਿੰਦੇ, ਇਸ ਲਈ ਇਹ ਦੇਖਣ ਲਈ ਇੰਤਜ਼ਾਰ ਨਾ ਕਰੋ ਕਿ ਇਹ ਆਪੇ ਠੀਕ ਹੁੰਦੀ ਹੈ ਜਾਂ ਨਹੀਂ।


Evidence & references

This is the clinical evidence summary written for health professionals. It is technical, and it lists the research this page was built from. You do not need to read it to understand your treatment or to make a decision about it.

Anatomy & Pathophysiology

Bony Anatomy

  • The bones of the knee are the distal femur, the proximal tibia, and the patella [1].
  • The medial femoral condyle is larger and projects farther posteriorly and distally than the lateral condyle [4].
  • The medial epicondyle is the most anterior and distal osseous prominence of the medial femoral condyle [4].
  • The adductor tubercle is located proximal and posterior to the medial epicondyle [4].
  • The gastrocnemius tubercle is located slightly distal and posterior to the adductor tubercle [4].
  • The lateral femoral condyle projects farther anteriorly than the medial condyle [4].
  • The lateral femoral condyle is wider in the medial-lateral direction than the medial femoral condyle [4].
  • The sulcus terminalis is a small ridge on the lateral femoral condyle just distal to the intercondylar notch that separates the patellofemoral and tibiofemoral articular surfaces [4].
  • The trochlear groove separates the femoral condyles anteriorly and constitutes the patellofemoral articulation [4].
  • The intercondylar notch is of variable width and is the site of attachment of the cruciate ligaments [4].
  • The tibial articular surface slopes 7° to 10° in the sagittal plane [4].
  • The medial tibial plateau is larger than the lateral plateau and is concave in its frontal and sagittal planes [4].
  • The lateral tibial plateau is smaller and more circular than the medial plateau, concave in the frontal plane, and convex in the sagittal plane [4].
  • The medial and lateral tibial plateaus are separated by the intercondylar eminence and its medial and lateral spinous processes [4].
  • The tibial tuberosity is the site of attachment of the patellar tendon and is typically located in the midline anteriorly but may be slightly lateral [4].
  • Gerdy’s tubercle is the insertion site of the iliotibial band and is located 2 to 3 cm lateral to the tibial tubercle on the proximal tibia [4].
  • The proximal fibula articulates with a facet of the lateral cortex of the tibia and is not part of the knee articulation [4].
  • The patella is the largest sesamoid bone in the body and averages 2.5 cm in thickness [4].
  • The patella has the thickest articular surface in the body, approximately 5 mm in the midportion and 2 mm on the sides [4].
  • The patellar articular surface contains a vertical, central ridge that separates the broader lateral facet from the medial facet, and a smaller, more medial facet called the odd facet [4].
  • The posterior slope of the medial tibial plateau is a mean of 10.7° and the lateral plateau is a mean of 7.2° [18].
  • The fibular head is located a mean of 1.5 cm distal to the joint line, with a range of 6 to 32 mm [18].
  • The medial femoral condyle has a large, convex articular surface [18].
  • The lateral femoral condyle has a broader mean anterior-posterior dimension than the medial femoral condyle, which allows internal rotation of the distal femur with knee extension [18].
  • The lateral femoral condyle has a broader mean medial-lateral dimension than the medial condyle [18].
  • The lateral trochlear facet resists lateral subluxation of the patella [18].
  • The sulcus terminalis is a transverse ridge extending from the oblique facets of the femoral trochlea that is deeper on the lateral condyle than on the medial condyle [18].
  • The PCL inserts on the anteromedial wall of the intercondylar notch and the ACL inserts on the posterolateral wall [18].
  • The patella has three facets: lateral, medial, and odd [18].
  • The odd facet is a small facet on the distal medial patella that articulates in deep flexion of the knee [18].

Vascular and Nerve Anatomy

  • The blood supply to the knee is formed from an anastomosis around the knee derived from the descending geniculate artery, medial and lateral superior geniculate arteries, medial and lateral inferior geniculate arteries, middle geniculate artery, and anterior tibial recurrent arteries [4].
  • The middle geniculate artery supplies both the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments [4].
  • The inferior geniculate arteries pass deep to their respective collateral ligaments [4].
  • The blood supply of the patella is derived from the geniculate artery complex with some contribution from the anterior tibial recurrent artery and primarily exists in the middle to inferior portions of the patella [4].
  • The knee is innervated by branches of the femoral nerve (L2, L3, L4), obturator nerve (L2, L3, L4), and sciatic nerve (L4, L5, S1, S2) [4].
  • The largest nerve providing innervation of the intra-articular knee is the posterior articular branch of the tibial nerve [4].
  • The posterior articular branch of the tibial nerve supplies the infrapatellar fat pad, the synovial covering over the cruciate ligaments, and the periphery of the meniscus [4].
  • Nerves to the cruciate ligaments contain vasomotor and pain fibers as well as mechanoreceptors that may be involved in proprioception [4].
  • The infrapatellar branch of the saphenous nerve arises proximal to the knee joint medially and crosses distal to the patella to innervate the skin over the region of the anterior knee and proximal tibia [4].
  • The popliteus artery travels through the adductor hiatus, where it is relatively immobile, and distally through the fibrous arch deep to the soleus muscle [24].
  • The common peroneal nerve travels along the posterior edge of the biceps femoris and continues distally around the fibular neck [24].
  • The tibial nerve, after branching from the sciatic nerve, courses distally through the center of the popliteus fossa [24].

Ligaments

  • The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) travels from the medial border of the lateral femoral condyle to its insertion site anterolateral to the medial tibial spine [1].
  • The ACL prevents anterior translation and rotation of the tibia on the femur [1].
  • The posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) prevents posterior subluxation of the tibia on the femur [1].
  • The PCL runs from the lateral aspect of the medial femoral condyle to the posterior aspect of the tibia, just below the joint line [1].
  • The medial collateral ligament has superficial and deep portions which stabilize the knee to valgus stresses [1].
  • The lateral collateral or fibular collateral ligament runs from the lateral femoral condyle to the head of the fibula [1].
  • The lateral collateral ligament is the main stabilizer against varus stress [1].
  • The lateral collateral ligament is part of the posterolateral “complex” or “corner” of the knee that also resists external rotation [1].
  • The popliteofibular ligament is present in 90% of knees and runs from the tendon of the popliteus muscle to the styloid on the posterior fibular head [1].
  • The ACL is composed of 90% type I collagen and 10% type III collagen [4].
  • The mean length of the ACL is 33 mm and the mean midsubstance width is 11 mm [4].
  • The femoral attachment of the ACL is a semicircular area (20 mm long and 10 mm wide) on the posteromedial aspect of the lateral femoral condyle [4].
  • The tibial attachment of the ACL is a broad, irregular, oval-shaped area (30 mm long and 10 mm wide) slightly medial and anterior to the midline and between the medial and lateral tibial spinous processes [4].
  • The ACL is an intra-articular ligament but technically extrasynovial as it is surrounded by synovium [16].
  • The ACL has a variable length of 22 to 41 mm and width of 7 to 12 mm, consistently narrowest in the midsubstance [16].
  • The femoral origin of the ACL is on the posteromedial edge of the lateral femoral condyle, posterior to the lateral intercondylar ridge (Resident’s ridge) [16].
  • The ACL attachment is usually oval in shape, with the anteromedial bundle arising from the superior and anterior aspects and the posterolateral bundle arising from the posterior and inferior aspects [16].
  • The ACL bundles are often separated by the lateral bifurcate ridge, which runs from anterior to posterior on the femur [16].
  • The bulk of the ACL anteromedial bundle is attached between 9.30 and 11.30 o'clock and the posterolateral bundle between 8.30 and 10 o'clock on a clock-face description based on the posterior outlet of the femoral intercondylar notch [16].
  • The distance on the femur between the centers of the ACL bundles varies from 8 to 10 mm [16].
  • The tibial footprint of the ACL is on the tibial plateau in the anterior intercondylar fossa, between the medial and lateral tibial spines [16].
  • The tibial insertion of the ACL is 120% larger than the femoral insertion [16].
  • The ACL anteromedial bundle is tight in knee flexion and the posterolateral bundle is tight in extension [4].
  • The ACL anteromedial bundle is primarily an anterior restraint evaluated by Lachman and anterior drawer tests [5].
  • The ACL posterolateral bundle is primarily a rotatory restraint evaluated by pivot shift test [5].
  • The ACL is typically subjected to peak loads of 170 N during walking and up to 500 N with running [19].
  • The ultimate strength of the ACL in young patients is about 1750 N [19].
  • The ACL fails by serial tearing at 10% to 15% elongation [19].
  • The PCL has a mean length of 38 mm and mean width of 13 mm [18].
  • The PCL has a broad, crescent-shaped femoral attachment on the anterolateral medial femoral condyle with a mean length of 30 mm and mean width of 5 mm [18].
  • The tibial insertion of the PCL onto the posterior central sulcus is 10 to 15 mm distal to the joint line of the knee [18].
  • The PCL anterolateral bundle is stronger and stiffer than the posteromedial bundle and is tight in knee flexion [18].
  • The PCL posteromedial bundle is tight in knee extension [18].
  • Sectioning the PCL increases contact pressures in the medial compartment and the patellofemoral joint [19].
  • The superficial medial collateral ligament (sMCL) proximal division resists valgus tibial translation and tibial external rotation [5].
  • The sMCL distal division resists tibial external rotation in knee extension and tibial internal rotation [5].
  • The deep MCL resists valgus translation and tibial internal and external rotation [5].
  • The posterior oblique ligament resists tibial internal rotation, especially in knee extension, and tibial external rotation [5].
  • The lateral collateral ligament resists varus tibial translation and tibial external rotation, especially at 30 degrees of knee flexion [5].
  • The popliteus tendon resists tibial external rotation, especially in knee flexion, and varus tibial translation [5].
  • The popliteofibular ligament resists tibial external rotation, especially in knee flexion, and posterior tibial displacement [5].
  • The oblique popliteal ligament resists knee hyperextension and varus tibial translation [5].
  • The joint capsule and the collateral ligaments are the principal extraarticular static stabilizing structures [7].
  • The capsule is a sleeve of fibrous tissue extending from the patella and patellar tendon anteriorly to the medial, lateral, and posterior expanses of the joint [7].
  • The medial capsule is more distinct and well defined than its lateral counterpart [7].
  • The anteromedial and anterolateral portions of the capsule are relatively thin structures but are reinforced by the medial and lateral patellar retinacular expansions [7].
  • The medial patellofemoral ligament runs from the patella near the junction of the middle and superior thirds to the medial femoral epicondyle [7].
  • The posteromedial corner of the knee has five major components: the posterior oblique ligament, the semimembranosus tendon and its expansions, the oblique popliteal ligament, the posteromedial joint capsule, and the posterior horn of the medial meniscus [13].
  • The posterior oblique ligament is attached proximally to the adductor tubercle of the femur and distally to the tibia and posterior aspect of the capsule [13].
  • The distal attachment of the posterior oblique ligament is composed of three arms: the tibial arm, the capsular arm, and the distal arm [13].
  • The central portion of the posterior oblique ligament is the thickest and probably the most important arm, originating in the region of the adductor tubercle [13].
  • The semimembranosus tendon has five expansions: the direct arm, the anterior or deep arm, the arm to the posterior oblique ligament, the arm to the oblique popliteal ligament, and the expansion to the popliteus aponeurosis [13].
  • The oblique popliteal ligament is a broad fascial band originating from the capsular arm of the posterior oblique ligament and the lateral expansion of the semimembranosus to cross the posterior aspect of the knee [13].
  • The posteromedial capsule begins posterior to the superficial and deep MCL, with the deep MCL blending with and becoming inseparable from the central arm of the posterior oblique ligament [13].
  • The posteromedial portion of the medial capsular ligamentous complex is especially important for valgus and rotational stability to the knee [13].
  • The central arm of the posterior oblique ligament must be tightened in surgical repair or reconstruction, or passive stability cannot be attained regardless of any other surgical procedures [13].

Menisci

  • The menisci are C-shaped fibrocartilaginous disks in the knee that provide shock absorption, allow for increased congruency between joint surfaces, enhance joint stability, and aid in distribution of synovial fluid [1].
  • The medial and lateral menisci provide a concave surface with which the convex femoral condyles can articulate [1].
  • Without menisci, the convex femoral condyles articulate with the relatively flat tibial plateaus, decreasing surface area of contact and increasing pressure on the articular cartilage [1].
  • The medial meniscus is firmly attached to the joint capsule along its entire peripheral edge [1].
  • The lateral meniscus is attached to the anterior and posterior capsule, but there is a region posterolaterally where it is not firmly attached [1].
  • The medial meniscus has less mobility than the lateral meniscus and is more susceptible to tearing when trapped between the femoral condyle and tibial plateau [1].
  • The lateral meniscus is larger than the medial meniscus and carries a greater share of the lateral compartment pressure than the medial meniscus carries for the medial compartment [1].
  • The knee menisci are wedge-shaped fibrocartilaginous structures situated between the femoral condyles and tibial plateau [14].
  • The medial meniscus has a semicircular shape, which covers approximately 50% to 60% of the medial tibial plateau in adulthood [14].
  • The posterior horn of the medial meniscus averages 11 mm in the anterior-posterior dimension, whereas the anterior horn is narrower [14].
  • The anterior horn of the medial meniscus attaches to the tibia anterior to the ACL near the intercondylar fossa [14].
  • The transverse, or intermeniscal, ligament connects the anterior horns of the medial and lateral menisci [14].
  • The posterior root attachment of the medial meniscus lies in the posterior intercondylar fossa between the lateral meniscus and PCL [14].
  • The meniscotibial (coronary) ligament stabilizes the medial meniscus through its attachment from the inferior aspect of the posterior horn to the tibia [14].
  • The medial meniscus is firmly attached to the deep medial collateral ligament and joint capsule, limiting its mobility [14].
  • The lateral meniscus has a more circular C-shape with symmetric sizes of the anterior and posterior horns [14].
  • The lateral meniscus anterior root attaches anterior to the intercondylar eminence and just lateral to the ACL insertion site on the tibia [14].
  • The lateral meniscus posterior root attaches posterior to the lateral tibial spine just anterior to the medial meniscus posterior root [14].
  • The popliteomeniscal fascicles extend from the lateral meniscus to the posterior capsule to create the popliteal hiatus [14].
  • The meniscofemoral ligaments are variably present structures which connect the posterior horn of the lateral meniscus to the medial femoral condyle [14].
  • The ligament of Humphrey crosses anterior to the PCL and the ligament of Wrisberg crosses posteriorly [14].
  • The less continuous attachment of the lateral meniscus to the capsule allows for

Investigations

Plain Radiography

  • Plain radiographs are appropriate initial imaging studies for most knee conditions because they allow the assessment of traumatic injury, arthritis, patellofemoral alignment, osteochondral injury, bone neoplasm, and surgical implants [22].
  • Imaging studies should include at least two perpendicular views: AP and lateral [22].
  • Weight-bearing AP (extension) views are used to assess cartilage loss from the distal femur and tibial plateau [22].
  • Weight-bearing PA (Rosenberg; flexion) views are used to assess cartilage loss from the posterior femur and tibial plateau [22].
  • Patellofemoral views are used to assess patellofemoral alignment (tilt/subluxation), patellar and trochlear morphology, osteochondral injury, and patellofemoral arthritis [22].
  • Notch views are used to assess posterior femoral cartilage, notch width, and osteophytes [22].
  • Non–weight-bearing radiographs may identify acute injury without the risk of fracture displacement in trauma cases [22].
  • Radiographs should be inspected for acute fracture, lateral capsular avulsion (Segond fracture), loose bodies, Pellegrini-Stieda lesion (MCL calcification), and evidence of patellar dislocation [10].
  • Stress radiographs should be obtained in patients prior to skeletal maturity to rule out an epiphyseal fracture [10].
  • Radiographs can underestimate isolated chondral lesions but may demonstrate joint space narrowing, osteophytes, sclerosis, and cysts [26].
  • Weight-bearing AP and lateral views and an axial view of the patellofemoral joint should be reviewed for articular cartilage evaluation [26].
  • The ability to detect subtle narrowing or an isolated chondral defect on the flexion surface may be improved with a semiflexed PA view [26].
  • Long leg alignment views are used to determine the mechanical axis [26].
  • If the mechanical axis traverses the involved compartment (varus knees with medial compartment lesions or valgus knees with lateral compartment lesions), realignment may need to be considered as an initial procedure or as an adjunct to a cartilage restorative procedure [26].
  • Radiographs are still the standard for initial evaluation of knee arthritis [30].
  • Images for knee arthritis evaluation should include weight-bearing AP and lateral views, a view of the weight-bearing knee flexed at 45-degree angle imaged posterior to anterior, a sunrise view (Merchant view), extension and flexion lateral views, and a standing full-length AP radiograph [30].
  • A standing full-length AP radiograph from hip joint to ankle joint is used to evaluate limb alignment and knee deformity and to identify femoral and/or tibial bone deformity [30].
  • Radiographs should be inspected for acute fractures, lateral capsular avulsion (Segond fracture), loose bodies, fibular head avulsions, and evidence of patellar dislocation in suspected LCL injuries [31].
  • With chronic posterolateral instability, degenerative changes of the lateral compartment are often noted on radiographs, including lateral joint space narrowing with osteophytes and subchondral sclerosis [31].
  • Stress radiographs can help to better quantify the amount of varus angulation present in LCL injuries [31].

Computed Tomography

  • Computed tomography provides a three-dimensional study with ionizing radiation that provides enhanced bone detail [22].
  • Imaging in the axial, sagittal, and coronal planes may help visualize fracture lines and displacement, osteolytic lesions around joint arthroplasty, and cortical disruption in cases of infection or neoplasia [22].
  • Three-dimensional reconstructions may help with preoperative planning for complex intra-articular fractures, multiplanar osteotomy for limb malalignment, and reconstitution of bone loss in joint arthroplasty [22].
  • Axial plane imaging of the hip and knee can help assess the rotational alignment of components of a total knee arthroplasty in cases of patellar maltracking [22].
  • Three-dimensional CT with remodeling is used for preoperative planning for reconstruction associated with dysplasia, post-trauma planning, and complex total knee arthroplasty (TKA) planning [30].

Magnetic Resonance Imaging

  • Increasing strength of the magnetic field (measured in Tesla units) increases the resolution of images [22].
  • An injected contrast agent (intravenous or intra-articular) may help delineate specific tissues of interest in MRI [22].
  • MRI may identify the presence of edema, intra-articular fluid, disruption of ligament fibers, and an atypical ligament contour to suggest cruciate ligament injury [22].
  • MRI can identify patterns of meniscal injury by location (anterior, midbody, posterior, peripheral, articular), pattern (horizontal, longitudinal, radial, complex), and displacement [22].
  • MRI may identify the degree of articular cartilage injury (chondrosis, full-thickness cartilage loss), the presence of associated bone marrow edema, and the location (medial condyle, lateral condyle, trochlea, patella; anterior, posterior) [22].
  • MRI may identify edema, avulsion, or discontinuity for the MCL/lateral collateral ligament (LCL) or associated posteromedial and posterolateral ligamentous complexes [22].
  • MRI may be used to assess the continuity of the quadriceps or patellar tendon [22].
  • MRI may be used to assess the margin of resection for a neoplasm, identify vascular malformation, or define the location of nerves or vessels relative to popliteal cysts [22].
  • MRI is useful for confirming MCL injury and identifying the site of injury [10].
  • MRI is useful to detect the presence of meniscal and other injuries to the knee in MCL injuries [10].
  • Relative indications for an MRI in MCL injuries include an uncertain ACL status despite multiple examinations, evaluation of a suspected meniscal tear, or preoperative evaluation for a planned MCL reconstruction or repair [10].
  • MRI is often a useful adjunct for diagnosing posterolateral corner and LCL injuries in the severely injured knee [31].
  • MRI findings can refocus the examination to the posterolateral structures when posterolateral injury can often go unnoticed during an initial evaluation [31].
  • MRI is not indicated if the joint space is significantly narrowed on radiograph in the arthritic patient population [30].
  • MRI is used when osteonecrosis is suspected in the arthritic patient population [30].
  • MRI can be used to evaluate articular cartilage morphology [26].

Nuclear Medicine

  • Nuclear medicine involves labeled radionuclide injection followed by delayed imaging of gamma radiation, where areas of increased radionuclide concentration appear bright or “hot” [22].
  • Nuclear medicine provides a nonspecific study that does not define the etiology of an abnormality but rather the presence of an abnormality that may correlate with a clinical concern [22].
  • Increased radionuclide activity in bone may be a normal postoperative finding for up to 6 to 12 months after a fracture repair or arthroplasty [22].
  • Technetium-99 (Tc-99) is a radionuclide that may help identify infection, neoplasia, occult fracture, bone healing, active phases of heterotopic ossification, implant loosening, or failure of osseointegration [22].
  • Gallium-67 (Ga-67) is a radionuclide that may help differentiate between aseptic and septic prosthetic loosening; 24 to 72 hours are needed for a complete study [22].

Physical Examination

  • The physical examination begins with observation of the patient’s gait, followed by examination of the uninjured knee as a basis of comparison with the injured knee [1].
  • Any swelling or effusion should be noted during physical examination [1].
  • A small effusion will cause obliteration of the recesses on the medial and lateral aspects of the patellar tendon; with a larger effusion, diffuse swelling is present in the region of the suprapatellar pouch [1].
  • A fluid wave can be palpated on the sides of the patella [1].
  • Active and then passive range of motion is tested carefully during physical examination [1].
  • The knee is palpated to define areas of localized tenderness [1].
  • The joint lines are located at the level of the inferior pole of the patella when the knee is flexed to 90 degrees [1].
  • Laxity to valgus stresses is assessed by the amount of medial joint space opening that occurs at 30 degrees of flexion for MCL injuries [10].
  • Zero opening is considered normal, with 1-4 mm indicating a grade I injury, 5–9 mm indicating a grade II injury, and 10–15 mm indicating a complete or grade III injury for MCL injuries [10].
  • Grade I and II MCL injuries typically have a firm end point, whereas a grade III injury tends to have a soft end point to valgus stress [10].
  • The integrity of the LCL is assessed by placing a varus stress, with the knee in full extension and 30 degrees of flexion [31].
  • The average baseline for varus opening is 7 degrees [31].
  • Exam findings with an isolated LCL injury should include varus laxity at 30 degrees of flexion and no instability in full extension [31].
  • The dial test is performed by externally rotating each tibia and noting the angle subtended between the thigh and the foot at 30 and 90 degrees of flexion [31].
  • A significant difference in the dial test is an angle 5 degrees or greater than the contralateral leg [31].
  • Injury to the posterolateral capsule alone is confirmed with greater external rotation at 30 degrees, an isolated PCL at 90 degrees, and to both structures when there is greater rotation at 30 and 90 degrees compared to the uninjured leg [31].
  • A careful neurovascular examination should be performed as the incidence of neurovascular injury, particularly peroneal nerve injury, has been reported in 12–29% of posterolateral knee injuries [31].
  • An examination under anesthesia can be valuable when physical examination is unreliable because of the patient guarding the knee [10].
  • Diagnostic arthroscopy can be used to evaluate for coexisting pathology, though both examination under anesthesia and diagnostic arthroscopy have largely been replaced by MRI [10].
  • An examination while the patient is relaxed under general anesthetic is extremely useful, particularly in the acute setting for multiligamentous knee injuries [31].

Treatment

  • Substantial improvements in implant design and understanding the determinants of achieving a good clinical outcome have been achieved in the management of distal femur fractures [3].
  • The evaluation and management of distal femur fractures require an understanding of the injury mechanism, potential associated injuries, and radiographic and clinical goals [3].
  • Surgical management of distal femur fractures requires a clear understanding of the unique anatomy of the distal femur [3].
  • Surgical management of distal femur fractures requires comprehensive knowledge of the implant and how it can be used in a biologic-preserving manner to achieve an anatomic reduction and enable fracture healing [3].
  • Understanding the unique anatomy of the distal femur is necessary to achieve an anatomic reduction [3].
  • Understanding the unique anatomy of the distal femur is necessary for successful maintenance of reduction using modern implants [3].
  • Clinical and radiographic assessment of both soft-tissue and osseous injury to the distal femur helps define surgical treatment options [3].
  • An understanding of expected outcomes and potential postoperative complications related to the surgical management of distal femur fractures is important for optimal results [3].

References

[1] A Lange Medical Book Current Diagnosis Treatment In Orthopedics Fifth Edition. 3Sports Medicine > Image KNEE INJURIES.

[3] Orthopaedic Knowledge Update Trauma. Fractures of the Distal Femur > Summary.

[4] Aaos Comprehensive Orthopaedic Review 3. Anatomy and Biomechanics of the Knee > I. Anatomy.

[5] Miller S Review Of Orthopaedics. SECTION 1 KNEE > ANATOMY (FIG. 4.1).

[7] Campbell S Operative Orthopaedics 4 Volume Set. EXTRAARTICULAR LIGAMENTOUS STRUCTURES.

[10] A Lange Medical Book Current Diagnosis Treatment In Orthopedics Fifth Edition. 3Sports Medicine > 1. Medial Collateral Ligament Injuries.

[13] Campbell S Operative Orthopaedics 4 Volume Set. POSTEROMEDIAL CORNER.

[14] Orthopaedic Basic Science Fifth Edition Print Ebook. Biology and Mechanics of the Skeletal Extracellular Matrix > Gross Anatomy.

[16] Rockwood And Green S Fractures In Adults. 59: Patellar Fractures and Dislocations and Extensor Mechanism Injuries > Anterior Cruciate Ligament Anatomy.

[18] Aaos Comprehensive Orthopaedic Review 3. Radiographic Evaluation and Surgical Anatomy of the Knee > II. Surgical Anatomy of the Knee.

[19] Miller S Review Of Orthopaedics. ARTHRODESIS PERSON > Kinetics.

[22] Aaos Comprehensive Orthopaedic Review 3. Radiographic Evaluation and Surgical Anatomy of the Knee > I. Radiographic Evaluation.

[24] Aaos Comprehensive Orthopaedic Review 3. Knee Dislocations and Patellar Fractures* > I. Knee Dislocations.

[26] Aaos Comprehensive Orthopaedic Review 3. Articular Cartilage Injury and Treatment > IV. Full-­Thickness Outerbridge Grade IV Defects.

[30] Miller S Review Of Orthopaedics. SECTION 16 PATELLAR TRACKING IN TOTAL KNEE ARTHROPLASTY > SECTION 11 KNEE ARTHRITIS ASSESSMENT.

[31] A Lange Medical Book Current Diagnosis Treatment In Orthopedics Fifth Edition. 3Sports Medicine > 2. Lateral Collateral Ligament Injuries.

Creative Commons BY-NC 4.0

CC Creative Commons licence
BY Attribution — you must credit the source
NC NonCommercial — not for commercial use

Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International


Creative Commons Corporation ("Creative Commons") is not a law firm and does not provide legal services or legal advice. Distribution of Creative Commons public licenses does not create a lawyer-client or other relationship. Creative Commons makes its licenses and related information available on an "as-is" basis. Creative Commons gives no warranties regarding its licenses, any material licensed under their terms and conditions, or any related information. Creative Commons disclaims all liability for damages resulting from their use to the fullest extent possible.

Using Creative Commons Public Licenses

Creative Commons public licenses provide a standard set of terms and conditions that creators and other rights holders may use to share original works of authorship and other material subject to copyright and certain other rights specified in the public license below. The following considerations are for informational purposes only, are not exhaustive, and do not form part of our licenses.

Considerations for licensors: Our public licenses are intended for use by those authorized to give the public permission to use material in ways otherwise restricted by copyright and certain other rights. Our licenses are irrevocable. Licensors should read and understand the terms and conditions of the license they choose before applying it. Licensors should also secure all rights necessary before applying our licenses so that the public can reuse the material as expected. Licensors should clearly mark any material not subject to the license. This includes other CC- licensed material, or material used under an exception or limitation to copyright. More considerations for licensors: wiki.creativecommons.org/Considerations_for_licensors

Considerations for the public: By using one of our public licenses, a licensor grants the public permission to use the licensed material under specified terms and conditions. If the licensor's permission is not necessary for any reason--for example, because of any applicable exception or limitation to copyright--then that use is not regulated by the license. Our licenses grant only permissions under copyright and certain other rights that a licensor has authority to grant. Use of the licensed material may still be restricted for other reasons, including because others have copyright or other rights in the material. A licensor may make special requests, such as asking that all changes be marked or described. Although not required by our licenses, you are encouraged to respect those requests where reasonable. More considerations for the public: wiki.creativecommons.org/Considerations_for_licensees


Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International Public License

By exercising the Licensed Rights (defined below), You accept and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of this Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International Public License ("Public License"). To the extent this Public License may be interpreted as a contract, You are granted the Licensed Rights in consideration of Your acceptance of these terms and conditions, and the Licensor grants You such rights in consideration of benefits the Licensor receives from making the Licensed Material available under these terms and conditions.

Section 1 -- Definitions.

a. Adapted Material means material subject to Copyright and Similar Rights that is derived from or based upon the Licensed Material and in which the Licensed Material is translated, altered, arranged, transformed, or otherwise modified in a manner requiring permission under the Copyright and Similar Rights held by the Licensor. For purposes of this Public License, where the Licensed Material is a musical work, performance, or sound recording, Adapted Material is always produced where the Licensed Material is synched in timed relation with a moving image.

b. Adapter's License means the license You apply to Your Copyright and Similar Rights in Your contributions to Adapted Material in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Public License.

c. Copyright and Similar Rights means copyright and/or similar rights closely related to copyright including, without limitation, performance, broadcast, sound recording, and Sui Generis Database Rights, without regard to how the rights are labeled or categorized. For purposes of this Public License, the rights specified in Section 2(b)(1)-(2) are not Copyright and Similar Rights.

d. Effective Technological Measures means those measures that, in the absence of proper authority, may not be circumvented under laws fulfilling obligations under Article 11 of the WIPO Copyright Treaty adopted on December 20, 1996, and/or similar international agreements.

e. Exceptions and Limitations means fair use, fair dealing, and/or any other exception or limitation to Copyright and Similar Rights that applies to Your use of the Licensed Material.

f. Licensed Material means the artistic or literary work, database, or other material to which the Licensor applied this Public License.

g. Licensed Rights means the rights granted to You subject to the terms and conditions of this Public License, which are limited to all Copyright and Similar Rights that apply to Your use of the Licensed Material and that the Licensor has authority to license.

h. Licensor means the individual(s) or entity(ies) granting rights under this Public License.

i. NonCommercial means not primarily intended for or directed towards commercial advantage or monetary compensation. For purposes of this Public License, the exchange of the Licensed Material for other material subject to Copyright and Similar Rights by digital file-sharing or similar means is NonCommercial provided there is no payment of monetary compensation in connection with the exchange.

j. Share means to provide material to the public by any means or process that requires permission under the Licensed Rights, such as reproduction, public display, public performance, distribution, dissemination, communication, or importation, and to make material available to the public including in ways that members of the public may access the material from a place and at a time individually chosen by them.

k. Sui Generis Database Rights means rights other than copyright resulting from Directive 96/9/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 March 1996 on the legal protection of databases, as amended and/or succeeded, as well as other essentially equivalent rights anywhere in the world.

l. You means the individual or entity exercising the Licensed Rights under this Public License. Your has a corresponding meaning.

Section 2 -- Scope.

a. License grant.

1. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Public License, the Licensor hereby grants You a worldwide, royalty-free, non-sublicensable, non-exclusive, irrevocable license to exercise the Licensed Rights in the Licensed Material to:

a. reproduce and Share the Licensed Material, in whole or in part, for NonCommercial purposes only; and

b. produce, reproduce, and Share Adapted Material for NonCommercial purposes only.

2. Exceptions and Limitations. For the avoidance of doubt, where Exceptions and Limitations apply to Your use, this Public License does not apply, and You do not need to comply with its terms and conditions.

3. Term. The term of this Public License is specified in Section 6(a).

4. Media and formats; technical modifications allowed. The Licensor authorizes You to exercise the Licensed Rights in all media and formats whether now known or hereafter created, and to make technical modifications necessary to do so. The Licensor waives and/or agrees not to assert any right or authority to forbid You from making technical modifications necessary to exercise the Licensed Rights, including technical modifications necessary to circumvent Effective Technological Measures. For purposes of this Public License, simply making modifications authorized by this Section 2(a) (4) never produces Adapted Material.

5. Downstream recipients.

a. Offer from the Licensor -- Licensed Material. Every recipient of the Licensed Material automatically receives an offer from the Licensor to exercise the Licensed Rights under the terms and conditions of this Public License.

b. No downstream restrictions. You may not offer or impose any additional or different terms or conditions on, or apply any Effective Technological Measures to, the Licensed Material if doing so restricts exercise of the Licensed Rights by any recipient of the Licensed Material.

6. No endorsement. Nothing in this Public License constitutes or may be construed as permission to assert or imply that You are, or that Your use of the Licensed Material is, connected with, or sponsored, endorsed, or granted official status by, the Licensor or others designated to receive attribution as provided in Section 3(a)(1)(A)(i).

b. Other rights.

1. Moral rights, such as the right of integrity, are not licensed under this Public License, nor are publicity, privacy, and/or other similar personality rights; however, to the extent possible, the Licensor waives and/or agrees not to assert any such rights held by the Licensor to the limited extent necessary to allow You to exercise the Licensed Rights, but not otherwise.

2. Patent and trademark rights are not licensed under this Public License.

3. To the extent possible, the Licensor waives any right to collect royalties from You for the exercise of the Licensed Rights, whether directly or through a collecting society under any voluntary or waivable statutory or compulsory licensing scheme. In all other cases the Licensor expressly reserves any right to collect such royalties, including when the Licensed Material is used other than for NonCommercial purposes.

Section 3 -- License Conditions.

Your exercise of the Licensed Rights is expressly made subject to the following conditions.

a. Attribution.

1. If You Share the Licensed Material (including in modified form), You must:

a. retain the following if it is supplied by the Licensor with the Licensed Material:

i. identification of the creator(s) of the Licensed Material and any others designated to receive attribution, in any reasonable manner requested by the Licensor (including by pseudonym if designated);

ii. a copyright notice;

iii. a notice that refers to this Public License;

iv. a notice that refers to the disclaimer of warranties;

v. a URI or hyperlink to the Licensed Material to the extent reasonably practicable;

b. indicate if You modified the Licensed Material and retain an indication of any previous modifications; and

c. indicate the Licensed Material is licensed under this Public License, and include the text of, or the URI or hyperlink to, this Public License.

2. You may satisfy the conditions in Section 3(a)(1) in any reasonable manner based on the medium, means, and context in which You Share the Licensed Material. For example, it may be reasonable to satisfy the conditions by providing a URI or hyperlink to a resource that includes the required information.

3. If requested by the Licensor, You must remove any of the information required by Section 3(a)(1)(A) to the extent reasonably practicable.

4. If You Share Adapted Material You produce, the Adapter's License You apply must not prevent recipients of the Adapted Material from complying with this Public License.

Section 4 -- Sui Generis Database Rights.

Where the Licensed Rights include Sui Generis Database Rights that apply to Your use of the Licensed Material:

a. for the avoidance of doubt, Section 2(a)(1) grants You the right to extract, reuse, reproduce, and Share all or a substantial portion of the contents of the database for NonCommercial purposes only;

b. if You include all or a substantial portion of the database contents in a database in which You have Sui Generis Database Rights, then the database in which You have Sui Generis Database Rights (but not its individual contents) is Adapted Material; and

c. You must comply with the conditions in Section 3(a) if You Share all or a substantial portion of the contents of the database.

For the avoidance of doubt, this Section 4 supplements and does not replace Your obligations under this Public License where the Licensed Rights include other Copyright and Similar Rights.

Section 5 -- Disclaimer of Warranties and Limitation of Liability.

a. UNLESS OTHERWISE SEPARATELY UNDERTAKEN BY THE LICENSOR, TO THE EXTENT POSSIBLE, THE LICENSOR OFFERS THE LICENSED MATERIAL AS-IS AND AS-AVAILABLE, AND MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND CONCERNING THE LICENSED MATERIAL, WHETHER EXPRESS, IMPLIED, STATUTORY, OR OTHER. THIS INCLUDES, WITHOUT LIMITATION, WARRANTIES OF TITLE, MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT, ABSENCE OF LATENT OR OTHER DEFECTS, ACCURACY, OR THE PRESENCE OR ABSENCE OF ERRORS, WHETHER OR NOT KNOWN OR DISCOVERABLE. WHERE DISCLAIMERS OF WARRANTIES ARE NOT ALLOWED IN FULL OR IN PART, THIS DISCLAIMER MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.

b. TO THE EXTENT POSSIBLE, IN NO EVENT WILL THE LICENSOR BE LIABLE TO YOU ON ANY LEGAL THEORY (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, NEGLIGENCE) OR OTHERWISE FOR ANY DIRECT, SPECIAL, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE, EXEMPLARY, OR OTHER LOSSES, COSTS, EXPENSES, OR DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF THIS PUBLIC LICENSE OR USE OF THE LICENSED MATERIAL, EVEN IF THE LICENSOR HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH LOSSES, COSTS, EXPENSES, OR DAMAGES. WHERE A LIMITATION OF LIABILITY IS NOT ALLOWED IN FULL OR IN PART, THIS LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.

c. The disclaimer of warranties and limitation of liability provided above shall be interpreted in a manner that, to the extent possible, most closely approximates an absolute disclaimer and waiver of all liability.

Section 6 -- Term and Termination.

a. This Public License applies for the term of the Copyright and Similar Rights licensed here. However, if You fail to comply with this Public License, then Your rights under this Public License terminate automatically.

b. Where Your right to use the Licensed Material has terminated under Section 6(a), it reinstates:

1. automatically as of the date the violation is cured, provided it is cured within 30 days of Your discovery of the violation; or

2. upon express reinstatement by the Licensor.

For the avoidance of doubt, this Section 6(b) does not affect any right the Licensor may have to seek remedies for Your violations of this Public License.

c. For the avoidance of doubt, the Licensor may also offer the Licensed Material under separate terms or conditions or stop distributing the Licensed Material at any time; however, doing so will not terminate this Public License.

d. Sections 1, 5, 6, 7, and 8 survive termination of this Public License.

Section 7 -- Other Terms and Conditions.

a. The Licensor shall not be bound by any additional or different terms or conditions communicated by You unless expressly agreed.

b. Any arrangements, understandings, or agreements regarding the Licensed Material not stated herein are separate from and independent of the terms and conditions of this Public License.

Section 8 -- Interpretation.

a. For the avoidance of doubt, this Public License does not, and shall not be interpreted to, reduce, limit, restrict, or impose conditions on any use of the Licensed Material that could lawfully be made without permission under this Public License.

b. To the extent possible, if any provision of this Public License is deemed unenforceable, it shall be automatically reformed to the minimum extent necessary to make it enforceable. If the provision cannot be reformed, it shall be severed from this Public License without affecting the enforceability of the remaining terms and conditions.

c. No term or condition of this Public License will be waived and no failure to comply consented to unless expressly agreed to by the Licensor.

d. Nothing in this Public License constitutes or may be interpreted as a limitation upon, or waiver of, any privileges and immunities that apply to the Licensor or You, including from the legal processes of any jurisdiction or authority.


Creative Commons is not a party to its public licenses. Notwithstanding, Creative Commons may elect to apply one of its public licenses to material it publishes and in those instances will be considered the “Licensor.” The text of the Creative Commons public licenses is dedicated to the public domain under the CC0 Public Domain Dedication. Except for the limited purpose of indicating that material is shared under a Creative Commons public license or as otherwise permitted by the Creative Commons policies published at creativecommons.org/policies, Creative Commons does not authorize the use of the trademark "Creative Commons" or any other trademark or logo of Creative Commons without its prior written consent including, without limitation, in connection with any unauthorized modifications to any of its public licenses or any other arrangements, understandings, or agreements concerning use of licensed material. For the avoidance of doubt, this paragraph does not form part of the public licenses.

Creative Commons may be contacted at creativecommons.org.