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Fractures Just Above the Knee.The bone may, however, be broken lengthwise just above the knee; that is, one of the bony prominences which enter into the formation of the knee-joint may be split off. Sometimes, indeed, the end of the bone is fractured into several pieces. Signs. - Fractures of the thigh-bone near the knee can usually be recognized without difficulty, since the, bone is in this part covered with but little flesh. It is usually easy to feel the ridges made by the edges of the fragments, and by moving these pieces we can readily detect a grating sensation. If the fracture be transverse and just above the joint, there may be great similarity to a dislocation of the knee ; but in the latter case motion is very much impaired, while if the injury be a fracture there is even more than the natural amount of movement. The severity of the injury depends largely upon wnether the fracture extends into the knee-joint. If this occur, there will probably be permanent stiffness of the joint; in fact the bone may be so extensively damaged that amputation of the leg may be necessary. If the knee-joint escape injury, the fracture usually heals in two months, with possibly a slight degree of shortening. We can usually recognize an extension of the fracture into the joint by the fact that the knee becomes enormously swollen and that movement of it causes great pain in the joint. Treatment.-If one of the bony prominences on the side of the knee be broken off, the bone can be set by simply straightening the limb. The dressing should consist of two splints, one on either side, made of siding, and long enough to extend from the ankle to the hip. These should be carefully padded and applied by means of a firm bandage. This bandage should not cover the knee-joint, for this joint will probably become much swollen and very painful, and will require the application of hot, moist cloths to allay the inflammation which will arise. If there be any laceration of the limb, it will be advisable not to employ the splints mentioned, but to place the leg in a box made for the purpose long enough to reach from the foot to the thigh and well padded. In this way the wounded surface and the inflamed knee-joint are readily accessible to the eye and hand of the attendant. So soon as the bones seem to have united, the knee should be gently bent a little every day, so as to avoid the stiffness of the joint which is very apt to ensue in these cases. Care must, however, be taken not to break the bone again during the efforts at bending the knee. If the part of the bone which enters into the joint be seriously damaged, permanent stiffness of the joint is inevitable. In this case the leg should be dressed at a slight angle, since the limb will be more useful if the stiffened knee be slightly bent than if it be perfectly straight. The dressing should consist of a " double inclined plane " already described, the angle situated under the knee being raised two or three inches above the ends of the splint. In nearly all cases of injury to the bones in the vicinity of the knee joint, there occurs considerable swelling and inflammation in the joint itself. This must be treated by the application of hot, moist cloths. But first, if you want to come back to this web site again, just add it to your bookmarks or favorites now! Then you'll find it easy! Also, please consider sharing our helpful website with your online friends.
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