Knee and proximal tibia

The proximal diaphysis of the tibia is narrow, but it enlarges at the metaphyseal region as it approaches the knee. An expansion of the quadriceps tendon covers the anterior aspect of the patella, the distal fibres of which blend with the patellar tendon. Risk factors associated with inflammatory and degenerative changes predispose to both patellar and quadriceps tendon ruptures : Injury may be partial or complete and usually results from indirect trauma as the quadriceps forcefully contracts against a flexed knee. The ability to extend the knee does not rule out a fractured patella, but it confirms the absence of a significant injury to the extensor apparatus. Knee dislocation is a rare but potentially catastrophic injury, invariably resulting from high-energy trauma. Clinical assessment primarily focuses on two areas: the stability of the knee and the distal neurovascular status. A popular means of non-operative treatment uses a hinged knee brace to provide coronal support while allowing for early mobilization.