Knee dislocation
Knee dislocations are infrequently encountered but are potentially limb-threatening injuries.
A dislocation of the knee can generally only occur when there is an injury involving considerable violence or high energy trauma e.g. a road accident. In a dislocation of the knee the cruciate ligaments are and torn as well as one or both collateral ligaments.
The patient presents with a very painful knee, severe bruising, swelling and knee deformity. There may be injury to the popliteal artery or nerve.
There may be fractures of the tibial spine or the tip of the fibula due to ligament avulsion. Associated undiagnosed vascular injury can lead to prolonged limb ischaemia, necessitating amputation.
Reference
- Darcy G, Edwards E, Hau R. Epidemiology and outcomes of traumatic knee dislocations: Isolated vs multi-trauma injuries. Injury. 2018 Jun;49(6):1183-1187.
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