Skip to main content

Classification of Knee Dislocations and the Surgical Implications

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
  • 2215 Accesses

Abstract

Knee dislocations are rare injuries but are being seen more frequently for a variety of reasons. Because of the increasing incidence, a practitioner is much more likely to be faced with caring for a patient with a knee dislocation in their practice. It is essential for practitioners to be able to classify and communicate with each other accurately. Three primary classification systems are frequently used: the position, energy of injury, and anatomic systems. The position system classifies the KD by relation of the tibia with respect to the femur. The energy of injury system classifies the KD by mechanism of injury. The anatomic system classifies the KD by the injured structures. While all systems have their uses, the anatomic system is most comprehensive and useful in relying information and prognosis.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Buying options

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   89.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   119.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD   169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Meyers MH, Harvey Jr JP. Traumatic dislocation of the knee joint. A study of eighteen cases. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1971;53(1):16–29.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Engebretsen L, Risberg MA, Robertson B, Ludvigsen TC, Johansen S. Outcome after knee dislocations: a 2–9 years follow-up of 85 consecutive patients. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2009;17(9):1013–26.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Wascher DC, Dvirnak PC, DeCoster TA. Knee dislocation: initial assessment and implications for treatment. J Orthop Trauma. 1997;11(7):525–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Nicandri GT, Chamberlain AM, Wahl CJ. Practical management of knee dislocations: a selective angiography protocol to detect limb-threatening vascular injuries. Clin J Sport Med. 2009;19(2):125–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Nicandri GT, Dunbar RP, Wahl CJ. Are evidence-based protocols which identify vascular injury associated with knee dislocation underutilized? Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2010;18(8):1005–12.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Stannard JP, Sheils TM, Lopez-Ben RR, McGwin Jr G, Robinson JT, Volgas DA. Vascular injuries in knee dislocations: the role of physical examination in determining the need for arteriography. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2004;86-A(5):910–5.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Mills WJ, Barei DP, McNair P. The value of the ankle-brachial index for diagnosing arterial injury after knee dislocation: a prospective study. J Trauma. 2004;56(6):1261–5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Giuseffi SA, Bishop AT, Shin AY, Dahm DL, Stuart MJ, Levy BA. Surgical treatment of peroneal nerve palsy after knee dislocation. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2010;18(11):1583–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Niall DM, Nutton RW, Keating JF. Palsy of the common peroneal nerve after traumatic dislocation of the knee. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 2005;87(5):664–7.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Reddy PK, Posteraro RH, Schenck Jr RC. The role of MRI in evaluation of the cruciate ligaments in knee dislocations. Orthopedics. 1996;19(2):166–70.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Twaddle BC, Hunter JC, Chapman JR, Simonian PT, Escobedo EM. MRI in acute knee dislocation. A prospective study of clinical, MRI, and surgical findings. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 1996;78(4):573–9.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Bui KL, Ilaslan H, Parker RD, Sundaram M. Knee dislocations: a magnetic resonance imaging study correlated with clinical and operative findings. Skeletal Radiol. 2008;37(7):653–61.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Schenck Jr RC. The dislocated knee. Instr Course Lect. 1994;43:127–36.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Schenck Jr RC, Hunter RE, Ostrum RF, Perry CR. Knee dislocations. Instr Course Lect. 1999;48:515–22.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Kennedy JC. Complete dislocation of the knee joint. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1963;45:889–904.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Green NE, Allen BL. Vascular injuries associated with dislocation of the knee. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1977;59(2):236–9.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Hill JA, Rana NA. Complications of posterolateral dislocation of the knee: case report and literature review. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1981;154:212–5.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Silverberg DA, Acus R. Irreducible posterolateral knee dislocation associated with interposition of the vastus medialis. Am J Sports Med. 2004;32(5):1313–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Huang FS, Simonian PT, Chansky HA. Irreducible posterolateral dislocation of the knee. Arthroscopy. 2000;16(3):323–7.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Urguden M, Bilbasar H, Ozenci AM, Akyildiz FF, Gur S. Irreducible posterolateral knee dislocation resulting from a low-energy trauma. Arthroscopy. 2004;20 Suppl 2:50–3.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Shelbourne KD, Porter DA, Clingman JA, McCarroll JR, Rettig AC. Low-velocity knee dislocation. Orthop Rev. 1991;20(11):995–1004.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Shelbourne KD, Klootwyk TE. Low-velocity knee dislocation with sports injuries. Treatment principles. Clin Sports Med. 2000;19(3):443–56.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Wascher DC. High-velocity knee dislocation with vascular injury. Treatment principles. Clin Sports Med. 2000;19(3):457–77.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Patterson BM, Agel J, Swiontkowski MF, Mackenzie EJ, Bosse MJ, LEAP Study Group. Knee dislocations with vascular injury: outcomes in the Lower Extremity Assessment Project (LEAP) Study. J Trauma. 2007;63(4):855–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Walker DN, Hardison R, Schenck RC. A baker’s dozen of knee dislocations. Am J Knee Surg. 1994;7:117–24.

    Google Scholar 

  26. Bratt HD, Newman AP. Complete dislocation of the knee without disruption of both cruciate ligaments. J Trauma. 1993;34(3):383–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Moore TM. Fracture—dislocation of the knee. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1981;156:128–40.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Gustilo RB, Mendoza RM, Williams DN. Problems in the management of type III (severe) open fractures: a new classification of type III open fractures. J Trauma. 1984;24(8):742–6.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Bryon D. Hobby M.D. .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2013 Springer Science+Business Media New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Hobby, B.D., Wascher, D.C., Schenck, R.C. (2013). Classification of Knee Dislocations and the Surgical Implications. In: Fanelli, G. (eds) The Multiple Ligament Injured Knee. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-49289-6_5

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-49289-6_5

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-0-387-49287-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-0-387-49289-6

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics