--- title: Knee Fracture description: Learn what a knee fracture is, how to know if you need an x-ray, and how to heal from a fracture FASTER. image: https://www.glackinpt.com/hubfs/Knee%20Fracture%20femur.jpg --- [Skip to content](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/knee-fracture#main-content) [![Glackin\_Logo](https://www.glackinpt.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Glackin_Logo.png?width=197&height=52&name=Glackin_Logo.png "Glackin_Logo")](https://www.glackinpt.com) - [About](https://www.glackinpt.com/about/) - [About Us](https://www.glackinpt.com/about/) - [Approach](https://www.glackinpt.com/approach) - [Rates and Insurance](https://www.glackinpt.com/fees/) - [Products](https://www.glackinpt.com/products) - [Blogs](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog) - [Conditions We Treat](https://www.glackinpt.com/additional-services/) - [Physical Therapy for Runners](https://www.glackinpt.com/physical-therapy-for-runners) - [TMJ Pain](https://www.glackinpt.com/tmj) - [Neck Pain](https://www.glackinpt.com/physical-therapy-for-neck-pain) - [Shoulder Pain](https://www.glackinpt.com/physical-therapy-for-shoulder-pain) - [Chest Pain](https://www.glackinpt.com/physical-therapy-for-chest-pain) - [Back Pain](https://www.glackinpt.com/back-pain) - [Pelvic Floor Pain](https://www.glackinpt.com/physical-therapy-pelvic-pain) - [Hip Pain](https://www.glackinpt.com/hip) - [Knee Pain](https://www.glackinpt.com/knee) - [Ankle Pain](https://www.glackinpt.com/ankle-pain) - [Additional Services](https://www.glackinpt.com/additional-services/) - [FAQs](https://www.glackinpt.com/faq) - [Online Scheduling](https://scheduling.go.promptemr.com/onlineScheduling?w=1081&s=DL) - [Contact](https://www.glackinpt.com/contact/) - [knee fracture](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/tag/knee-fracture) # Knee Fracture ![Fracture of the knee bone (femur)](https://www.glackinpt.com/hubfs/Knee%20Fracture%20femur.jpg) - January 25, 2021 [Brendan Glackin](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/author/brendan) **Knee fractures involve one of the bones that form the knee joint breaking.** These can happen due to a fall while landing on the knee, motor vehicle accident, sports collision, among other things. Knee fractures can even happen in the elderly from small falls due to low bone density. Fractures are serious, but they can heal faster than a ligament or tendon injury around the knee.    One of the issues with knee fractures is they are not always so obvious, such as a hairline fracture. A rule that many Physical Therapists follow to decide if they want to rule out a fracture are the Ottawa Knee Rules.  ## What are signs of a fractured bone in my knee? These rules state that X-rays are needed if any of the following are present:  - **Age over 55 years old** - **Isolated tenderness ONLY at the patella or kneecap** - **Tenderness at the head of the fibula** - **Unable to bend the knee to 90 degrees** - **Unable to bear weight immediately and in the emergency department for 4 steps** ## If I have a fractured bone in my knee, will I need surgery? Fractures can happen in many different shapes and sizes. Most fractures are treated with some time of immobilization to reduce stress the injured area. If the fracture is more complicated, they may need to be stabilized with a rod or pin by an orthopedic surgeon to make sure it heals correctly.  ![Knee fracture pain ](https://www.glackinpt.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Closeup-tendon-knee-joint-problems-on-woman-leg-indicated-with-red-spot-isolated-on-gray-background.-Joint-inflammation-concept.jpg?width=490&height=327&name=Closeup-tendon-knee-joint-problems-on-woman-leg-indicated-with-red-spot-isolated-on-gray-background.-Joint-inflammation-concept.jpg) ## Additional things to consider: ### Nutrition When the fracture is healing it may seem like you can’t do much, but it is important to keep a healthy diet. Growing back bone takes more calories and nutrients than most people think. Make sure you are taking the appropriate amount of calories, calcium and vitamin D.  **This is NOT the time for you to go on a diet.**  ### Putting weight back on the limb when cleared If the surgeon allows some partial weight bearing, take advantage of this and practice placing weight through your leg. This stimulates the bone to grow back faster!  ## Can physical therapy help with a knee fracture? Yes, but in a different way than you may think.  Physical therapist can help reduce pain that occurs from muscles surrounding the bone while allowing the bone to heal.  We can also teach you how to strengthen your leg without irritating the fracture. ![Physical therapy for knee fracture](https://www.glackinpt.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Female-physiotherapist-helping-to-exercise-the-patient-injured-knee-2.jpg?width=407&height=271&name=Female-physiotherapist-helping-to-exercise-the-patient-injured-knee-2.jpg) Make sure to reach out to a good Physical Therapist to guide you through this process! ### Physical therapy for knee fracture in Brookhaven, GA and Atlanta, GA jIf you are having pain and difficulty with mobility after a knee fracture, [contact](https://www.glackinpt.com/contact/) our office. We can help! Blog Post ## Related Articles Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. [![](https://www.glackinpt.com/hubfs/Patient%20in%20crutches%20talking%20to%20a%20doctor.jpeg)](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/stress-fractures-in-the-foot-are-stressful) [foot pain when walking](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/tag/foot-pain-when-walking), [foot pain](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/tag/foot-pain), [foot pain when running](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/tag/foot-pain-when-running), [stress fracture](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/tag/stress-fracture), [physical therapy in atlanta, ga](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/tag/physical-therapy-in-atlanta-ga), [physical therapy in brookhaven, GA](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/tag/physical-therapy-in-brookhaven-ga) ### [Stress Fractures in the Foot](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/stress-fractures-in-the-foot-are-stressful) July 25, 2022 You've been told you have a stress fracture in your foot! You might be feeling a little overwhelmed and worried. The... [Read more](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/stress-fractures-in-the-foot-are-stressful) [![](https://www.glackinpt.com/hubfs/Young%20physiotherapist%20exercising%20with%20elder%20disabled%20person.jpeg)](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/break-a-leg-femur-fractures) [hip mobility](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/tag/hip-mobility), [hip pain](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/tag/hip-pain), [hip rehab](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/tag/hip-rehab), [hip surgery](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/tag/hip-surgery), [hip fracture](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/tag/hip-fracture) ### [Femur Fracture](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/break-a-leg-femur-fractures) May 30, 2022 The femur is one of the strongest bone in the body and so when it fractures, there is cause for concern. Typically it's... [Read more](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/break-a-leg-femur-fractures) [![Mayo Clinic's photo of a knee replacement](https://www.glackinpt.com/hubfs/Knee%20replacement.webp)](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/knee-replacement) [Knee Surgery](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/tag/knee-surgery), [Knee replacement](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/tag/knee-replacement) ### [Knee Replacement](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/knee-replacement) January 11, 2021 If you are at the point of considering a knee replacement, odds are you have had a lot of issues with your knees. A... [Read more](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/knee-replacement) Check all articles Blog Post CTA ### H2 Heading Module Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. GET STARTED Subscribe for ### Our Blog Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. ### Contact Us! 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