Knee dislocation: treatment of high-velocity knee dislocation.

BACKGROUND: We report the outcomes of patients treated with a new arthroscopic treatment modality for knee dislocation after high-velocity trauma.

METHODS: Twenty-three patients (12 men, 11 women; 25 knees) with traumatic knee dislocation were treated with this technique. Under arthroscopy with gravity inflow irrigation, the ruptured posterior cruciate ligament was reconstructed with a patellar bone-tendon-bone graft, and the anterior cruciate ligament was debrided subacutely. The collateral ligament, meniscus, and capsules were repaired through additional incisions.

RESULTS: The average interval between injury and surgery was 11.1+/-5 days (range, 5 to 25 days). After a mean follow-up period of 27.2+/-7.86 months, the mean extension was 1+/-2 degrees and the average flexion was 129.6+/-4.91 degrees. The mean Lysholm score was 84. There were no major complications.

CONCLUSION: Arthroscopic posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction seems to be an effective treatment for traumatic knee dislocation.