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Articular Fracture – Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

An articular fracture is a bone break that extends into a joint. It typically requires targeted treatment to preserve long-term joint function and mobility.

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Things worth knowing about "Articular Fracture"

An articular fracture is a bone break that extends into a joint. It typically requires targeted treatment to preserve long-term joint function and mobility.

What Is an Articular Fracture?

An articular fracture (also called an intraarticular fracture or joint fracture) is a bone fracture in which the fracture line extends into the joint space, involving the joint-forming bone surfaces and often the articular cartilage. Unlike fractures occurring outside a joint, articular fractures carry a significantly higher risk of long-term complications, most notably post-traumatic osteoarthritis.

Causes

Articular fractures are typically caused by direct or indirect forces acting on a joint. Common causes include:

Falls (e.g., onto an outstretched hand or onto the knee)
Traffic accidents involving high-impact forces
Sports injuries (e.g., skiing, football)
Workplace accidents
Bone weakening due to osteoporosis, particularly in older adults

Commonly Affected Joints

In principle, any joint in the body can be affected. Articular fractures occur most frequently at:

Ankle joint (malleolar fractures, pilon tibiale fractures)
Knee joint (tibial plateau fractures, distal femur fractures)
Hip joint (acetabular fractures)
Wrist (distal radius fractures, scaphoid fractures)
Shoulder joint (proximal humerus fractures, glenoid fractures)
Elbow joint (radial head fractures, olecranon fractures)
Finger joints

Symptoms

Symptoms of an articular fracture can vary depending on the joint involved and the severity of the injury. Typical signs include:

Severe, acute pain in the affected joint
Swelling and bruising (hematoma) around the joint
Restricted or completely absent range of motion
Visible deformity or malalignment
Tenderness on palpation over the joint
Joint effusion (blood within the joint, known as hemarthrosis)

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of an articular fracture is established through a combination of clinical examination and imaging studies:

X-ray: The standard initial investigation, performed in at least two planes to visualize the fracture.
Computed Tomography (CT): Essential for precisely evaluating fracture geometry, fragment number, and joint surface involvement – crucial for surgical planning.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): Used as a complement to assess cartilage, ligament, and soft tissue damage, and in cases with clinical suspicion but a normal X-ray (e.g., occult fracture).

Classification

Articular fractures are classified according to various systems to guide treatment decisions and prognosis. The widely used AO Classification (AO Foundation) categorizes fractures by location and complexity: Type A (extraarticular), Type B (partial articular), and Type C (complete articular).

Treatment

Conservative Treatment

Non-displaced fractures with stable joint surfaces may be managed conservatively. This approach includes:

Immobilization with a plaster cast or orthosis
Pain management and anti-swelling measures
Controlled gradual weight-bearing under physiotherapy supervision
Regular X-ray follow-up to monitor fracture healing

Surgical Treatment

Displaced articular fractures or those with a joint surface step-off greater than 1–2 mm usually require surgery to achieve anatomically accurate reconstruction of the joint surface. Surgical options include:

Open Reduction and Internal Fixation (ORIF): Realignment of the fracture and stabilization using screws, plates, or nails.
Arthroscopically Assisted Osteosynthesis: Minimally invasive monitoring of joint surface reconstruction.
Joint Replacement (Arthroplasty): For severely destroyed joints, particularly in older patients (e.g., femoral head prosthesis following femoral neck fractures).

Rehabilitation and Follow-Up

Rehabilitation is a central component of articular fracture management. The goal is to restore range of motion, strength, and joint stability. Follow-up care includes:

Physiotherapy for mobilization and strengthening of joint-stabilizing muscles
Occupational therapy (especially for hand and elbow injuries)
Stepwise increase in load-bearing as directed by the treating physician
Regular clinical and imaging follow-up appointments

Complications and Long-Term Outcomes

Even with optimal treatment, articular fractures can lead to complications:

Post-traumatic osteoarthritis: The most common long-term consequence, arising from cartilage damage and residual joint incongruity.
Joint stiffness (arthrofibrosis): Restricted mobility due to scar tissue formation within the joint.
Avascular necrosis: Impaired blood supply to bone fragments.
Infection: Particularly relevant in open fractures or following surgical treatment.
Implant failure or malunion: May necessitate revision surgery.

References

Rüedi, T. P., Buckley, R. E., Moran, C. G. (eds.) - AO Principles of Fracture Management. 2nd edition. Thieme, Stuttgart (2007).
Court-Brown, C. M., Heckman, J. D., McQueen, M. M. et al. - Rockwood and Green's Fractures in Adults. 8th edition. Wolters Kluwer Health (2015).
Browner, B. D. et al. - Skeletal Trauma: Basic Science, Management, and Reconstruction. 5th edition. Elsevier Saunders (2015).

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