Knee Dislocation Surgery Workup

  • Author: John R Green III, MD; Chief Editor: Carlos J Lavernia, MD, FAAOS   more...
 
Updated: May 1, 2012
 

Imaging Studies

  • Radiographs
    • Standard anteroposterior and lateral radiographs can be used to detect a knee dislocation, as in the image below.[9] Knee dislocations. Lateral radiograph of anterior Knee dislocations. Lateral radiograph of anterior knee dislocation.
    • After reduction, repeat anteroposterior and lateral radiographs are obtained to confirm reduction.
    • Oblique views after reduction may delineate small avulsion or rim fractures and osteochondral fractures.[10]
  • The role of noninvasive Doppler studies versus arteriograms in postreduction assessment is controversial (see Future and Controversies). However, the authors strongly recommend arteriograms be performed on all patients with knee dislocations.
  • For ligament injuries of the knee, MRI can be used to determine the extent and location of ligament disruption, meniscal tears, and subtle injuries to the bone, as well as which tears are repairable (see Evaluation of knee ligamentous injury, Medical therapy).[11, 12]
Proceed to Treatment & Management
 
 
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 School of Medicine in Shreveport; Consulting Surgeon, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The Orthopedic Clinic

Cambize Shahrdar, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Brett D Owens, MD  Associate Professor of Surgery, F Edward Hebert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences

Brett D Owens, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Orthopaedic Association, American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, Arthroscopy Association of North America, Orthopaedic Trauma Association, and Society of Military Orthopaedic Surgeons

Disclosure: Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation Consulting fee Consulting

Specialty Editor Board

Robert D Bronstein, MD  Associate Professor, Department of Orthopedics, Division of Athletic Medicine, 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.

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD  Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Medscape Salary Employment

Thomas M DeBerardino, MD  Associate Professor, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Consulting Surgeon, Sports Medicine, Arthroscopy and Reconstruction of the Knee, Hip and Shoulder, Team Physician, Orthopedic Consultant to UConn Department of Athletics, 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. Consulting fee Speaking and teaching; Genzyme Biosurgery. Inc. Grant/research funds None; Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation Grant/research funds None; Histogenics Grant/research funds None; Advanced Biomedical Technologies Stock Options Medical Director, North America

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

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

Additional Contributors

The authors and editors would like to acknowledge Margaret L Olmedo, MD, for the contributions made to this article.

References

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Knee dislocations. Lateral radiograph of anterior knee dislocation.
Knee dislocations. MRI showing significant disruption medially and laterally with tibial bone bruise.
Knee dislocations. Examination under anesthesia revealing recurvatum and lateral ecchymosis.
 
 
 
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