您正在感受到的症状¶
膝关节置换术周围的骨折意味着假体附近的骨骼发生了断裂。疼痛通常感觉在膝关节的正上方或正下方,位于大腿下部或小腿上部。起初疼痛往往较为尖锐,随后会转变为深层的酸痛。站立、行走和屈曲膝关节通常会加重疼痛。将腿部支撑起来休息通常能缓解疼痛。
疼痛可能在夜间以及久坐或平躺后刚开始活动时加剧。许多人发现,在醒来并迈出第一步时疼痛最为明显。从椅子上起身、上下楼梯、走到信箱处以及进出汽车可能会变得困难。您可能不敢让这条腿支撑身体,因此会避免完全负重。
这样的骨折对您的影响可能远超愈合期。即使在骨折本身已经稳定后,生活质量在受伤后仍可能持续降低长达12个月。这是一种正常的模式,并非表明您的恢复过程中出现了问题。
这类骨折最常发生在骨骼强度不如以往的老年人身上。这种情况并不常见,但一旦发生,需要谨慎治疗。您的外科医生会仔细查看您的X光片并详细询问病史,以排除置换关节周围的感染,然后再制定治疗方案。大多数此类骨折可以通过固定骨骼使其在愈合期间保持静止来治疗,同时保留膝关节假体本身。只有当假体松动或位置不正时,才会考虑进行手术以更换假体。
实际发生了什么¶
膝关节置换假体在骨骼中的位置,就像一根插入篱笆柱的杆子。金属部件本身强度很高,但真正维持整体稳定的,是假体周围的骨骼。在假体周围骨折中,假体周围的骨骼发生开裂,而假体本身仍保持在原位。骨折通常发生在股骨远端(即假体上方的大腿骨下段)或胫骨近端(即假体下方的小腿骨上段)。
这类骨折往往发生在随时间推移而变得更薄、更脆弱的骨骼中。某些健康状况以及长期口服类固醇药物,也可能降低骨骼对植入物的固定能力。有时,假体附近的骨骼会缓慢吸收、流失,导致能够承重的骨量减少。当脆弱的骨骼遭遇绊倒或跌倒时,便可能在原本更坚固的骨骼不会发生断裂的部位出现裂纹。
您感受到的疼痛,源于每次腿部负重时骨折断端发生的轻微移位。站立和行走会使开裂的边缘相互挤压,因此这些动作通常最为疼痛。膝关节也可能感觉不稳,因为固定假体的骨骼不再与腿部其余部分作为一个整体协同运动。
您的外科医生会仔细检查您的X光片,因为假体的金属可能遮挡普通X光片上的骨折线。如果X光片显示不清晰,骨扫描可以显示骨折。这类骨折并不常见,仅发生在少数膝关节置换病例中,但一旦发生,需要谨慎治疗。大多数情况下,可通过制动骨骼使其愈合来治疗,同时保留假体。只有当假体松动或位置不正时,才会考虑更换假体本身。
我们如何处理¶
由于此类骨折属于结构性损伤,通常建议立即进行手术,而非先尝试非手术治疗。让骨骼自行愈合对于这类骨折而言很少是一个可行的选择。通常的目标是在假体保留原位的情况下,固定断裂的骨骼直至其愈合。在任何手术之前,我们都会仔细检查假体周围是否存在感染,因为这会改变我们的处理方案。
主要手术称为切开复位内固定术,即把骨骼移回正确位置,并用金属板和螺钉将其固定。对于股骨假体上方的骨折,常使用锁定板。其螺钉锁定在板本身内,从而在较薄的骨质中提供更稳固的固定。对于某些股骨骨折,另一种选择是将一根棒状物置于骨髓腔内。这两种方法都能固定骨骼直至其愈合,我们会与您讨论哪种方法适合您的骨折。
对于胫骨假体下方的骨折,有时可以通过两个小切口而非一个长切口将钢板滑入。这样可以避免扰动骨折区域,从而保护骨骼愈合所需的血液供应。在骨质非常薄的少数情况下,可以使用外固定架。外固定架从腿部外部固定骨骼。
如果假体周围的骨骼在骨折处磨损或粉碎,可能没有足够的坚固骨骼供钢板抓握。此时的选择包括添加同种异体骨以支持修复,或用新的植入物替换股骨远端。最后一种选择是较大的手术,但它允许您立即对腿部负重。
少数此类骨折涉及髌骨。这些通常无需手术,通过休息和支持治疗,待骨骼稳定即可。
手术后,活动和肌肉锻炼通常开始得较早,往往在最初的一两天内即可开始。起初您需要使用拐杖,待疼痛允许后,可对腿部进行部分负重。一旦骨骼愈合(我们通过 X 光检查确认),即可完全负重。在出院前,我们会与您详细讲解您个人的康复计划。
预期情况¶
这些骨折确实是一个重大挫折,因此以清晰的认知来面对会有所帮助。大多数情况下,治疗方式是让骨骼保持静止直至愈合,同时保留您的膝关节置换假体。如果处理得当,骨骼通常会愈合,且置换假体能继续正常运作。在进一步手术后,100例此类骨折患者中有89例最终实现愈合。然而,并非每处骨折都能按自己的时间表愈合。有些骨骼愈合缓慢,少数甚至完全无法愈合。每100例使用钢板治疗此类骨折的患者中,约有18例出现骨不连;每100例中约有24例在过程中出现某种并发症。
愈合需要数月而非数周。对于需要额外辅助才能愈合的骨骼,愈合时间从3到8个月不等。您不会很快恢复正常,现在了解这一点很有价值。即使骨折本身已经稳定,其对生活质量的影响可能持续长达12个月。许多人发现腿部更容易疲劳,上下楼梯需要规划,且对膝关节的信心恢复缓慢。这是恢复过程的典型形态,并非意味着治疗失败。
有一些真正的积极因素。当骨骼愈合时,膝关节置换假体本身往往能像之前一样良好运作。发生此类骨折的人群,其假体生存率并不比从未发生骨折的人群差。某些治疗方案还允许您立即对腿部负重,这可能意味着住院时间缩短以及更快回归日常活动。
如果骨骼被放任不管,它很少能自行稳定,这就是为什么通常建议尽早进行手术。需要关注的主要风险是骨不连或修复需要后续更多手术。您的外科医生将详细解释这些数据如何适用于您自身的骨折、骨质量以及整体健康状况。
何时就医¶
如果您跌倒或绊倒,并感到膝关节置换假体正上方或正下方出现锐痛,请立即进行检查。如果您完全无法在患腿上负重,或腿部外观畸形或缩短,请前往急诊科。如果您在置换关节附近出现持续疼痛,且休息后无法缓解,或疼痛导致夜间痛醒,请及时就诊全科医生。如果膝关节感觉不稳,或站立时无法信任腿部支撑身体,请要求专科医生评估。这些骨折发生在已变薄和变弱的骨骼中,因此轻微的绊倒就足以导致骨折。如果发现骨折,通常建议尽早进行手术,因为骨骼很少能自行愈合。
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 lateral femoral condyle projects farther anteriorly and is wider in the medial-lateral direction than the medial femoral condyle [4].
- The tibial articular surface slopes 7° to 10° in the sagittal plane [4].
- The posterior slope of the medial tibial plateau averages 10.7° and the lateral plateau averages 7.2° [9].
- 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, more circular, concave in the frontal plane, and convex in the sagittal plane [4].
- The patella is the largest sesamoid bone in the body with a mean thickness of 2.5 cm [4, 9].
- The patellar articular surface contains a vertical central ridge separating the broader lateral facet from the medial facet, and a smaller medial odd facet [4].
- The fibular head is located a mean of 1.5 cm distal to the joint line, with a range of 6 to 32 mm [9].
Ligaments¶
- The anterior cruciate ligament (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 medial collateral ligament (MCL) stabilizes the knee to valgus stresses [1].
- The lateral collateral ligament (LCL) is the main stabilizer against varus stress [1].
- The ACL is composed of 90% type I collagen and 10% type III collagen [4, 9].
- The mean length of the ACL is 33 mm and the mean midsubstance width is 11 mm [4, 9].
- The femoral attachment of the ACL is a semicircular area on the posteromedial aspect of the lateral femoral condyle [4, 9].
- The tibial attachment of the ACL is a broad, irregular, oval-shaped area between the medial and lateral tibial spinous processes [4, 9].
- The anteromedial bundle of the ACL is tight in knee flexion and the posterolateral bundle is tight in knee extension [9].
- The PCL has a mean length of 38 mm and a mean width of 13 mm [9, 17].
- The PCL femoral footprint is a broad, semicircular attachment on the anterolateral aspect of the medial femoral condyle [9, 17].
- The PCL tibial insertion is located 10 to 15 mm distal to the joint line on the posterior tibia [9, 17].
- The anterolateral bundle of the PCL is larger and comprises 85% of the PCL's cross-sectional area [17].
- The popliteofibular ligament is present in 90% of knees and runs from the popliteus tendon to the posterior fibular head [1].
- The posterolateral corner (PLC) consists of the fibular collateral ligament, iliotibial band, popliteofibular ligament, biceps femoris, and popliteus tendon [14].
Menisci¶
- The menisci are C-shaped fibrocartilaginous disks that provide shock absorption, increase joint congruency, enhance stability, and aid in synovial fluid distribution [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 has 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 [1].
- The medial meniscus has a mobility of 5 mm and the lateral meniscus has a mobility of 10 mm [9].
- Vascular supply to the menisci penetrates into 20% to 30% of the peripheral medial meniscus and 10% to 25% of the peripheral lateral meniscus [9].
Vascular and Nerve Anatomy¶
- The blood supply to the knee is formed from an anastomosis including the descending geniculate artery, superior and 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 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 posterior articular branch of the tibial nerve is the largest nerve providing innervation to the intra-articular knee [4].
- The popliteal artery travels through the adductor hiatus where it is relatively immobile and distally through the fibrous arch deep to the soleus muscle [14].
- The common peroneal nerve travels along the posterior edge of the biceps femoris and continues distally around the fibular neck [14].
Kinematics¶
- The knee is a hinge joint that incorporates both gliding and rolling motions [5, 6].
- The "screw-home" mechanism involves the tibia externally rotating 5 degrees in the final 15 degrees of extension [5, 6].
- The greatest range of motion occurs in the sagittal plane at approximately 160° [21].
- Knee rotation ranges from 45° in external rotation to 30° in internal rotation [21].
- In the frontal plane, the range of motion in both abduction and adduction reaches a maximum of 10° [21].
- During walking, knee range of motion reaches approximately 70° in the sagittal plane, 15° in the frontal plane, and 10° in the transverse plane [21].
- The normal instant center of the knee joint follows a semicircular path related to the tibiofemoral surface and ligaments [21].
- Rupture of the cruciate ligaments or disruption of the tibiofemoral surface causes a major change in the path of the instant center, leading to articular dysfunction [21].
- In full extension, the knee slightly hyperextends with slight tibial external rotation while collateral and cruciate ligaments tighten to lock the knee [22].
- The popliteus muscle initiates flexion by pulling the lateral femoral condyle backward while the medial femoral condyle slides forward, resulting in tibial internal rotation [22].
Periprosthetic Fracture Pathophysiology¶
- The incidence of periprosthetic fracture of the distal femur in total knee arthroplasty is 0.3% to 2.5% [31].
- The incidence of periprosthetic tibial fracture in primary total knee arthroplasty is 0.7% or less [31].
- Anterior femoral notching during femoral preparation weakens the anterior femur at the bone-component interface [31].
- Notching decreases the fracture resistance of the distal femur but does not necessarily equate to a higher risk of supracondylar femur fracture [31].
- Risk factors for periprosthetic distal femur fracture include rheumatoid arthritis, neurologic disorders, chronic steroid therapy, osteopenia or osteoporosis, and osteolysis with bone loss [31].
- Risk factors for periprosthetic tibial fracture include insertion of a long-stem component, a loose tibial component, periprosthetic osteolysis, malalignment of components, component removal during revision, and tibial tubercle osteotomy [31].
- The fracture line in periprosthetic fractures may be obscured by a metallic component on plain radiographs [31].
Investigations¶
Plain Radiography¶
- Plain radiographs are appropriate initial imaging studies for most knee conditions, allowing assessment of traumatic injury, arthritis, patellofemoral alignment, osteochondral injury, bone neoplasm, and surgical implants [3].
- Imaging studies should include at least two perpendicular views: AP and lateral [3].
- Weight-bearing AP (extension) views are used to assess cartilage loss from the distal femur and tibial plateau [3].
- Weight-bearing PA (Rosenberg; flexion) views are used to assess cartilage loss from the posterior femur and tibial plateau [3].
- Patellofemoral views are used to assess patellofemoral alignment, patellar and trochlear morphology, osteochondral injury, and patellofemoral arthritis [3].
- Notch views are used to assess posterior femoral cartilage, notch width, and osteophytes [3].
- Non-weight-bearing radiographs may identify acute injury without the risk of fracture displacement [3].
- Radiography may identify subchondral sclerosis, joint space narrowing, subchondral cysts, osteophytes, and joint subluxation in osteoarthritis [3].
- Radiography may identify linear radiolucency or radiodensity in stress fractures, most commonly in the proximal medial tibia [3].
- Radiography may identify a mixed sclerotic pattern with a subchondral, epiphyseal, or metaphyseal location in osteonecrosis [3].
- Supine AP knee radiographs do not adequately estimate the joint space width needed to estimate the degree of osteoarthritis progression [27].
- A 45° standing flexion view was introduced to better evaluate joint space due to inaccuracies in plain frontal radiographs [27].
- The fixed flexion view (FFV) technique uses a 10° caudal irradiation angle and fixed limb position for improved reproducibility and joint space evaluation [27].
- The Lyon Schuss view (LSV) requires fluoroscopic adjustment of the irradiation angle relative to the medial tibial plateau for more accurate joint space width measurement but involves higher radiation exposure and complex positioning [27].
- Goniometer readings of long limb alignment or measured on an FFV correlate well with angles measured on long limb radiographs, providing an alternative if long limb radiographs are not available [27].
- The Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) classification grades osteoarthritis severity from 0 to 4 based on AP knee radiograph features including osteophytes and joint space narrowing [23].
- Knee arthroplasty is recommended when KL Grade 4 findings are present [23].
Computed Tomography¶
- CT provides enhanced bone detail through a three-dimensional study performed with ionizing radiation [3].
- CT imaging in axial, sagittal, and coronal planes helps visualize fracture lines, displacement, osteolytic lesions around joint arthroplasty, and cortical disruption in infection or neoplasia [3].
- Three-dimensional CT reconstructions may help with preoperative planning for complex intra-articular fractures, multiplanar osteotomy for limb malalignment, and reconstitution of bone loss in joint arthroplasty [3].
- Axial plane CT imaging of the knee can help assess the rotational alignment of components of a total knee arthroplasty in cases of patellar maltracking [3].
- Three-dimensional CT with remodeling is used for preoperative planning for reconstruction associated with dysplasia, post-trauma planning, and complex total knee arthroplasty planning [23].
Magnetic Resonance Imaging¶
- MRI may help assess overall limb alignment and further delineate intra-articular and extra-articular soft tissues, including cartilage, menisci, ligaments, tendons, muscles, and nerve and vascular structures [3].
- MRI findings of edema, intra-articular fluid, disruption of ligament fibers, and atypical ligament contour may suggest cruciate ligament injury [3].
- MRI can identify patterns of meniscal injury by location, pattern (horizontal, longitudinal, radial, complex), and displacement [3].
- MRI may identify the degree of articular cartilage injury, associated bone marrow edema, and lesion location [3].
- MRI may identify edema, avulsion, or discontinuity for extra-articular ligaments such as the MCL/LCL or associated posteromedial and posterolateral ligamentous complexes [3].
- MRI may be used to assess the continuity of the quadriceps or patellar tendon [3].
- MRI may be used to assess neurovascular structures, including the margin of resection for a neoplasm, vascular malformation, or location of nerves relative to popliteal cysts [3].
- MRI is the most useful study for differentiating osteonecrosis from other conditions such as osteochondritis dissecans, transient osteoporosis, bone bruises, or occult fractures [29].
- A serpentine lesion within a well-demarcated border is a specific finding on MRI for osteonecrosis [29].
- MRI is not indicated if the joint space is significantly narrowed on radiograph in the arthritic patient population [23].
- MRI is used when osteonecrosis is suspected in the arthritic patient population [23].
Nuclear Medicine¶
- Increased radionuclide activity in bone may be a normal postoperative finding for up to 6 to 12 months after a fracture repair or arthroplasty [3].
- Technetium-99 (Tc-99) may help identify infection, neoplasia, occult fracture, bone healing, active phases of heterotopic ossification, implant loosening, or failure of osseointegration [3].
- Gallium-67 (Ga-67) may help differentiate between aseptic and septic prosthetic loosening, requiring 24 to 72 hours for a complete study [3].
General Assessment¶
- Radiographic studies help confirm the clinical diagnosis of a joint disorder determined using the patient’s history and physical examination [3].
- Physical examination along with radiographic or advanced imaging findings must be used concomitantly to determine the source of symptoms and appropriate surgical intervention [7].
- Assessment of the joint must combine physical examination along with radiographic (including full-length alignment views) and MRI findings for cartilage injury [30].
References¶
[1] A Lange Medical Book Current Diagnosis Treatment In Orthopedics Fifth Edition. 3Sports Medicine > Image KNEE INJURIES.
[3] Aaos Comprehensive Orthopaedic Review 3. Radiographic Evaluation and Surgical Anatomy of the Knee > I. Radiographic Evaluation.
[4] Aaos Comprehensive Orthopaedic Review 3. Anatomy and Biomechanics of the Knee > I. Anatomy.
[5] Miller S Review Of Orthopaedics. SECTION 16 PATELLAR TRACKING IN TOTAL KNEE ARTHROPLASTY > SECTION 1 KNEE > ANATOMY (FIG. 4.1).
[6] Miller S Review Of Orthopaedics. SECTION 1 KNEE > ANATOMY (FIG. 4.1).
[7] Orthopaedic Knowledge Update 13 Ebook Without Multimedia. Knee Arthroscopy and Preservation, Knee Reconstruction > Introduction.
[9] Aaos Comprehensive Orthopaedic Review 3. Radiographic Evaluation and Surgical Anatomy of the Knee > II. Surgical Anatomy of the Knee.
[14] Aaos Comprehensive Orthopaedic Review 3. Knee Dislocations and Patellar Fractures* > I. Knee Dislocations.
[17] Rockwood And Green S Fractures In Adults. 59: Patellar Fractures and Dislocations and Extensor Mechanism Injuries > Posterior Knee Anatomy.
[21] Aaos Comprehensive Orthopaedic Review 3. Biomechanics and Wear in Joint Arthroplasty > III. The Knee Joint.
[22] Orthopaedic Knowledge Update 13 Ebook Without Multimedia. Knee Anatomy > Knee Kinematics.
[23] Miller S Review Of Orthopaedics. SECTION 16 PATELLAR TRACKING IN TOTAL KNEE ARTHROPLASTY > SECTION 11 KNEE ARTHRITIS ASSESSMENT.
[27] Orthopaedic Knowledge Update 13 Ebook Without Multimedia. Knee Anatomy > Imaging (Radiograph, MRI, CT Scan, Dynamic Versus Static) > Radiograph.
[29] Aaos Comprehensive Orthopaedic Review 3. General Evaluation of the Knee Patient > III. Osteonecrosis.
[30] Orthopaedic Knowledge Update 13 Ebook Without Multimedia. Knee Arthroscopy and Preservation, Knee Reconstruction > Summary.
[31] Aaos Comprehensive Orthopaedic Review 3. Periprosthetic Fractures Associated With Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasty > II. Total Knee Arthroplasty.
