Knee dislocations are a catastrophic injury to the knee defined by loss of articulation between the femur and the tibia.
Knee dislocations are a catastrophic injury to the knee defined by loss of articulation between the femur and the tibia. (Note: They should not be confused with patellar dislocations, which are a separate entity). The incidence of knee dislocations is likely understated due to approximately half of them spontaneously reducing and being missed on initial evaluation.
They represent less than 0.02% of all orthopedic injuries and less than 0.5% of all joint dislocations. Case You are called over to the examination table by the athletic trainer to evaluate a 19 year old soccer player with knee pain during a game. The player says he was cutting when he felt his knee buckle.
On exam, he has an obvious effusion, has laxity with valgus stress at both 0 and 30 degrees as well as an equivocal lachmans. Given these findings, what is your most immediate concern in this player? A) ACL Injury B) MCL Injury C) Vascular injury D) Bone contusion The etiology of knee dislocations is most commonly high energy trauma such as motor vehicle accidents or fall from height.
They can also be seen in low energy mechanisms and sport-related activities. There are case reports of spontaneous dislocations during ambulation in morbidly obese patients. The majority of dislocations are anterior due to forced hyperextension of the knee, representing about 40% of cases.
Posterior dislocations are the second most common at 30%, often the result of the tibia impacting the dashboard of a car during a motor vehicle crash. Other directions including medial (18%), lateral (4%) and rotational (less than 5%) are less common. In the setting of a high energy mechanism, patients may present with an obvious deformity.
If you are experiencing symptoms that may be related to a quick update on knee dislocations, it is important to see a sports medicine physician. Early evaluation and treatment typically lead to better outcomes. Do not ignore pain or symptoms that are limiting your activity.
*This article is for educational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider.*
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