Abstract
Aims: The purpose of this study is to review the results of our experience in the treatment of all of the cases of traumatic knee dislocations (TKD) from 1988 to 1998 by means of a retrospective study. Methods: 26 patients, 20 males and six females, mean age 37 y. o. average follow up 36 months. Right involved in þfteen cases. The mechanism of injury was a motor vehicle accident in 19 cases. Posterior type was the most frequent with 8 cases. In twelve cases it was reduced on initial presentation, so it was not possible to classify the type of dislocation. PCL was the most frequent damaged ligament (22 cases). In most cases (81%) TKD was reduced under general anesthesia and an early surgical repair was performed as each case required. The follow up assessment included the Lysholm scoring system. Results: Excellent or good results were obtained in 14 of 26 patients (55%). Fair or poor results were obtained in 12 of 26 cases (45%). In 5 of 12 cases the treatment was conservative. Peroneal nerve palsy (23%) and popliteal artery disruption (8%) were the most frequent complications. The most common residual symptom was instability compared with contralateral knee (85%). Conclusions: Early operative repair of all damaged structures was associated with the best functional result (55%). Non-operative treatment was associated with 100% unsatisfactory results.
Theses abstracts were prepared by Professor Dr. Frantz Langlais. Correspondence should be addressed to him at EFORT Central Office, Freihofstrasse 22, CH-8700 Küsnacht, Switzerland.
