eMedicine Specialties > Orthopedic Surgery > Knee

Knee Dislocations

Author: John R Green III, MD, Associate Professor, Chief of Sports Medicine, Department of Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, University of Washington Medical Center
Coauthor(s): Cambize Shahrdar, MD, Gratis Professor, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center; Consulting Staff, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The Orthopedic Clinic; Brett D Owens, MD, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, William Beaumont Army Medical Center
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Aug 25, 2008

Introduction

Knee dislocations are uncommon. A knee dislocation is defined as complete displacement of the tibia with respect to the femur, with disruption of 3 or more of the stabilizing ligaments.1,2 Small avulsion fractures from the ligaments and capsular insertions may be present.

For excellent patient education resources, visit eMedicine's Breaks, Fractures, and Dislocations Center. Also, see eMedicine's patient education article Knee Dislocation.

Frequency

The Mayo Clinic recorded 14 knee dislocations during an interval of 2 million admissions.3 The largest reported series of knee dislocations is from Los Angeles County Hospital, where 53 knee dislocations were reported over a 10-year period. The true incidence of knee dislocations is higher than reported because as many as 50% of knee dislocations spontaneously reduce before patients present to the emergency department.

Etiology

Most knee dislocations are the result of high-energy injuries, such as motor vehicle or industrial accidents. They also can occur with low-energy injuries, such as those that occur in sports. The reported mechanisms of injury are variable, but the most common are motor vehicle accidents (50-60%), followed by falls (30%), industrial-related accidents (3-30%), and sports-related injuries (7-20%).

Pathophysiology

Multiple ligament injuries are required for knee dislocation. Generally, both cruciates and one or both collateral ligaments are injured. However, knee dislocations have been described with one of the cruciates intact. It is important to evaluate the competence of each ligament and to consider the possibility of a knee dislocation in knees with 3 or more ligaments torn. Vigilance is required because of the high incidence of neurovascular injuries associated with knee dislocation (vascular injuries 5-79%, nerve injuries 16-40%).

Classification

The 5 types of knee dislocations, based on the direction of tibial displacement, are anterior, posterior, medial, lateral, and rotational.4 An anterior knee dislocation usually results from a hyperextension injury to the knee that initially tears the posterior structures and drives the distal femur posterior to the proximal tibia. A posterior knee dislocation usually results from a direct blow to the proximal tibia that displaces the tibia posterior to the distal femur. Valgus forces cause medial dislocations. Varus forces cause lateral dislocations of the knee.

Rotational or rotatory dislocations are the result of indirect rotational forces, usually caused by the body rotating in the opposite direction of a planted foot. Rotatory dislocations can be of 4 different types, named for the direction of the displaced tibial plateau. For example, posterolateral rotatory dislocation describes a posterior position of the lateral tibial plateau and is the most common rotatory dislocation reported.

Knee dislocations can also be classified as open or closed and as reducible or irreducible.

Presentation

In isolated knee dislocations, patients are usually able to describe the mechanism of injury and the intense pain associated with dislocation. Since many of these injuries are high-energy motor vehicle collisions, evaluation for life-threatening injuries is the first priority.5

In the secondary survey, evaluation of the limb usually reveals an obvious deformity of the knee. The appearance of knee dislocations may be less dramatic in individuals who are obese. The limb should be examined thoroughly for pulses, capillary refill, sensation, and motor strength. Vascular compromise may present as a stocking-glove type distribution of hypesthesia or anesthesia, decreased capillary refill, cyanosis, and poikilothermia.6 Distal pulses may be absent, and an expanding hematoma, bruit, or thrill may be present in the popliteal fossa.

Indications

Emergent vascular surgery is indicated for dysvascular limbs (see Postreduction assessment, Medical therapy).

For indications for surgical repair of ligament avulsions, see Surgical options, Surgical therapy.

Relevant Anatomy

Knee anatomy relevant to dislocations is related to the 4 main ligament and neurovascular structures. The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), medial collateral ligament (MCL), and posterolateral corner (lateral collateral ligament [LCL], arcuate complex, popliteus, and biceps femoris) together with the joint capsule are responsible for knee stability.1

Knee dislocation requires injury to at least 3 of the 4 main ligaments. The popliteal artery is relatively fixed proximally as it exits a fibrous tunnel at the level of the adductor hiatus, enters the popliteal space, and then is again tethered distally under the soleus. When the knee dislocates, the popliteal artery is stretched and vulnerable to injury. Popliteal artery injury occurs in up to 53% of patients with knee dislocations. The peroneal nerve is tethered as it winds around the fibular neck. With knee dislocation, the peroneal nerve is at risk. Peroneal nerve injury may occur in up to 23% of patients with knee dislocations. Nearly one half of the patients with peroneal nerve injuries have a permanent deficit.7

Fractures about the knee are fairly common in knee dislocations. These can be severe periarticular fractures, commonly tibial plateau fractures or ligamentous and tendonous avulsion fractures.8 Few data exist on the true incidence of these fractures, as many reports do not mention them. One unpublished study noted a 35% (8 of 23 cases) incidence of fractures associated with high-velocity knee dislocations (Owens, unpublished data, 2003). The presence of the fracture may alter management and require supplemental bony fixation or may allow ligamentous repair versus reconstruction.

Contraindications

Nonsurgical management is recommended in patients who have low functional demands or cannot cooperate with postoperative rehabilitation, such as those with significant closed head injuries (see Nonsurgical management, Medical therapy).

Knee arthroscopy is contraindicated within 2 weeks of knee dislocations because capsular tears cause fluid extravasations into the leg that may result in compartment syndrome (see Surgical therapy ).

More on Knee Dislocations

Overview: Knee Dislocations
Workup: Knee Dislocations
Treatment: Knee Dislocations
Follow-up: Knee Dislocations
Multimedia: Knee Dislocations
References
Further Reading
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References

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Further Reading

Acute trauma to the knee.
American College of Radiology - Medical Specialty Society.  1998 (revised 2005).  9 pages.  NGC:004606

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Keywords

knee dislocation, knee injury, traumatic knee dislocation, complex knee dislocation, knee pain, anterior cruciate ligament, posterior cruciate ligament, collateral ligament

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Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

John R Green III, MD, Associate Professor, Chief of Sports Medicine, Department of Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, University of Washington Medical Center
John R Green III, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American College of Sports Medicine, American College of Surgeons, American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, Arthroscopy Association of North America, Southern Medical Association, Southern Orthopaedic Association, and Washington State Medical Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Cambize Shahrdar, MD, Gratis Professor, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center; Consulting Staff, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The Orthopedic Clinic
Cambize Shahrdar, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Brett D Owens, MD, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, William Beaumont Army Medical Center
Brett D Owens, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, and Society of Military Orthopaedic Surgeons
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Robert D Bronstein, MD, Associate Professor, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Rochester School of Medicine
Robert D Bronstein, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, Arthroscopy Association of North America, and Medical Society of the State of New York
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD, Senior Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine
Disclosure: eMedicine Salary Employment

Managing Editor

Thomas M DeBerardino, MD, Associate Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Connecticut Health Center
Thomas M DeBerardino, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Orthopaedic Association, and American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine
Disclosure: Arthrex, Inc. Grant/research funds Other; Arthrex, Inc. Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Genzyme Biosurgery. Inc. Grant/research funds Other; Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation Grant/research funds Other; Histogenics Grant/research funds None; Arthrex, Inc. Consulting fee Speaking and teaching

CME Editor

Dinesh Patel, MD, FACS, Associate Clinical Professor of Orthopedic Surgery, Harvard Medical School; Chief of Arthroscopic Surgery, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital
Dinesh Patel, MD, FACS is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin, American College of International Physicians, and American College of Surgeons
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Carlos J Lavernia, MD, FAAOS, Adjunct Clinical Professor, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Miami School of Medicine; Medical Director, Orthopedic Institute at Mercy Hospital
Carlos J Lavernia, MD, FAAOS is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons, Arthritis Foundation, Biomedical Engineering Society, Florida Orthopaedic Society, and Orthopaedic Research Society
Disclosure: Zimmer Stock Implant Designer

 
 
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