Fractures around the knee

Fractures of the bones around the knee are uncommon in sporting injuries but can occur.
They will almost always follow a major incident or fall and there will be severe pain and significant swelling. There may be deformity as well. Sometimes a severe knee injury will cause the bone attachment of a ligament to break off and this can be seen on X-ray.
An X-ray will be necessary and treatment will depend on the type of fracture but often involves surgical reattachment of the piece of bone.
A fracture of the knee can sometimes cause severe arthritis much later in life needing a knee replacement.