CORR Insights^®: Can Vascular Injury be Appropriately Assessed With Physical Examination After Knee Dislocation?

Excerpt

Traumatic knee dislocation is a rare but catastrophic injury that carries with it a high risk of neurovascular damage. The challenge in the management of traumatic knee dislocation is making a prompt and accurate diagnosis. Dislocations often reduce spontaneously, which can result in delayed or missed diagnoses [2], and these can result in ischemia, permanent nerve damage, compartment syndrome, or even amputation. Although generally a consequence of high-velocity trauma, some research suggests that traumatic knee dislocation can occur following even low-energy injuries like sprains [1]. Patients with morbid obesity have an increased likelihood of a traumatic knee dislocation following such low-velocity trauma. This adds to the diagnostic dilemma, as sedentary patients with knee sprains are likely to be last in line in the emergency department. …