title: Knee fractures in the athlete.
abstract: Sports-related fractures of the knee, although uncommon, do occur during athletic participation. The assessment and management of each fracture type have been emphasized in this article to provide a guideline for treating these acute knee injuries to a successful return to sports-specific competition. Anatomic fracture reduction is necessary to have optimal joint function in the knee as well as stability of fracture for early joint motion, promote bone healing, and avoid traumatic arthritis. This is especially crucial to the injured athlete, as residual deficits of the knee can greatly affect performance. Selection of low-profile implants at the time of surgery to prevent soft tissue irritation and possible implant removal must also be considered with the return to athletic activity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Harvard Medical School/Mass General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA. srinob@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Srino
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bharam
authors.forename: Mark S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Vrahas
authors.forename: Freddie H
authors.initials: FH
authors.lastname: Fu
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D031222:Patellar Dislocation / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy