The KNEE study: A prospective multicentre observational study of 459 fractures around the knee in older patients

Abstract

Background: The KNEE Study is a prospective multicentre service evaluation examining the current UK management of fragility fractures around the knee. It aims to describe operative decision making, causes of treatment delays, weight-bearing strategies, and post-operative management.

Methods: Data were prospectively collected across a 4-month period via a collaborative approach. All patients aged >60 with a fracture of the proximal tibia or distal femur were included. Data collected include injury classification, operative vs non-operative management, time to theatre, post-operative weight bearing, and post-operative optimisation as per BOAST guidelines for frail older patients.

Results: Data were available for 459 patients across 39 centres. This included 252 distal femoral fractures, and 207 proximal tibial fractures. Distal femoral fractures were significantly older (81.5 vs 73.3), had poorer mobility (42 % mobile ≤1 stick vs 79 %), and were more comorbid (median charlson co-morbidity index 5 vs 3) than proximal tibial fractures. Operative management was undertaken in 292/459 cases (198/252 femur, 94/207 tibia). When operative management was undertaken, there was a delay >36 hours to theatre in 62.8 % of cases. The main reasons for this were theatre capacity (42.6 %) and availability of a specialist surgeon (25.1 %). Only 11.5 % of cases were delayed pending medical optimisation or anticoagulant reversal. Patients managed operatively were significantly more likely to weight-bear on the first day post treatment (69.5 % vs 55.8 %). Operatively managed patients were significantly more likely to receive post-operative standards of care including Geriatric review, physio assessment, and bone health assessment.

Conclusion: Early return to weight bearing and ongoing secondary prevention are core tenants in the management of fragility fractures. Management of fragility fractures around the knee continues to lag behind that of hip fractures, with lower rates of weight bearing, slower access to theatre, and poorer post-operative care.

Keywords: Distal femur; Fragility fracture; Proximal tibia.