A study of the pattern and management of intra-articular fractures of the knee as seen in Kenyatta national hospital

Abstract

Intra articular fractures of the knee form a significant portion of patients with skeletal injuries.They mainly occur in the economically productive young population which leads to varied socio-economicimplications to the society. The broad objective of this study was to determine the pattern of intra-articular fractures of the knee and their management at Kenyatta National Hospital, the main teaching and referral hospital in Kenya. The goal was to assess the trend in management of these fractures and to provide data to health providers to improve patients care and their outcome. The study was conducted between zs" August 2006 and zs" February 2007 and was a prospective cross-sectional study. A total of one hundred and one patients were recruited into the study and were followed up in the wards during their treatment period. Information about their demographic data, causes of injury and their pattern, management and anatomical reduction as assessed through radiography was obtained,processed and analysed.