Type IIIB tibial intercondylar eminence fracture associated with a complex knee dislocation in a grossly obese adult

Knee dislocation with popliteal artery disruption: A nationwide analysis from 2005 to 2013

Objective

Few have compared short-term outcomes following knee dislocations with or without concomitant popliteal artery disruption (PAD).

Methods

The Nationwide Inpatient Sample was used to identify 2175 patients admitted for knee dislocation from 2005 to 2013 (concomitant PAD: n = 210/9.7%; without: n = 1965/90.3%).

Results

Patients with PAD were younger, more often male, Black and Hispanic, and with Medicaid (all p ≤ 0.013). PADs were associated with 11.0-times higher odds of increased LOS (95%CI, 6.6-18.4) and 2.8-times higher odds of experiencing any complication (95%CI, 2.03-3.92). Female sex was a protective factor against increased LOS, (OR = 0.65; 95%CI, 0.48-0.88).

Conclusion

High suspicion index should be maintained for concomitant vascular injuries following knee dislocations.

The tibial eminence fracture in skeletally immature patients

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Although tibial eminence fractures are uncommon, their importance cannot be overemphasized in skeletally immature patients because of the fracture's close proximity to both the tibial physis as well as the attachment between the tibial eminence and the anterior cruciate ligament, the latter being a key component in maintaining knee stability. This review focuses on recent trends in treatment concepts and devices.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent literature on this topic addresses the existence of a variety of treatment modalities, but the majority of these articles analyzed a limited number of cases and insisted on the merits of their own methods. Nevertheless, some consensus has been reached regarding treatment direction and how much laxity should be considered acceptable.

SUMMARY

Although the review failed to reveal a gold standard modality in treating tibial eminence fractures, most studies agreed on several issues. Displaced intra-articular fractures should be fixed operatively.

Effect of body mass index on patients with multiligamentous knee injuries

PURPOSE

Our goal was to evaluate the impact of body mass index (BMI) on complications and associated injuries in patients undergoing surgical treatment for multiligamentous knee injuries (MLKIs).

METHODS

Over a period of 10 years, 126 MLKIs (123 patients) were included in the study. The inclusion criteria were (1) injury to 2 or more knee ligaments, (2) multiligament repair and/or reconstruction performed by 1 of 3 sports medicine orthopaedic surgeons at our institution, and (3) minimum of 1 year of follow-up. A chart review was performed to collect demographic data, mechanism of injury, ligaments involved, complications, and associated neurovascular injuries. Lastly, patients were divided by BMI into non-obese (<30 kg/m(2)) and obese (≥30 kg/m(2)) groups.

RESULTS

Of the 126 MLKIs, 87 occurred in non-obese patients and 39 occurred in obese patients. Surgical complication rates for non-obese and obese patients were 8.05% and 15.4%, respectively (P = .21). Revisions were needed in 8.05% and 5.1% of patients in these groups, respectively (P = .72). Three wound complications were found in the obese group only. Vascular injuries were found in 2.3% and 7.7% of patients in the non-obese and obese groups, respectively (P = .17). The rates of nerve injuries were 11.49% and 20.51%, respectively (P = .18). Patients in the obese group were most likely to have an MLKI from low-energy mechanisms, disregarding sports-related injuries (51.28%, P = .02). Using a logistic model and BMI as a continuous variable, we found that a 1-unit increase in BMI increased the odds ratio of complications by 9.2%, with statistical significance (P = .0174). In addition, post hoc power analysis using previous literature showed that this study could produce satisfactory power.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate that (1) obese individuals are significantly more likely to have an MLKI caused by low-energy mechanisms and (2) complication rates increase by 9.2% for every 1-unit increase in BMI.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III, retrospective comparative study.

Acute knee dislocation: an evidence based approach to the management of the multiligament injured knee

Traumatic knee dislocations are uncommon yet serious injuries that historically have had variable prognosis. The evaluation and management of traumatic knee dislocations remains controversial. Appropriate early management has been shown to have a significant impact on long term functional outcome. A comprehensive review of the recent literature is presented alongside our current approach to management. The dislocated knee is an under diagnosed injury which relies on a high index of clinical suspicion on presentation of any knee injury. There is now a degree of consensus regarding need for surgery, timing of surgery, vascular investigations, surgical techniques and rehabilitation protocols. Vigilant monitoring for neurovascular complications, appropriate investigations and early involvement of surgeons with a specialist interest in knee ligament surgeries is the key to successful management of these difficult injuries.

Dislocation and bicruciate lesions of the knee: epidemiology and acute stage assessment in a prospective series

INTRODUCTION

Knee dislocation and bicruciate lesions are rare. Assessments of results from retrospective series carry an insufficient level of evidence. A prospective multicenter study was therefore set up, under the auspices of the French Society of Orthopedic Surgery.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The inclusion period covered the whole of 2007. Clinical, imaging (dynamic X-ray and MRI) and vascular (angioscan and arteriography) assessment was performed systematically. In patients over the age of 60 years, ligament lesions were always managed non-surgically; in those under the age of 60 years, surgery was considered in the absence of associated vascular lesion or open dislocation and if there was frontal laxity exceeding 15 degrees or a posterior drawer test greater than 10mm. The posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) and peripheral ligament tears were repaired or reinforced under arthroscopy or by arthrotomy. The anterior cruciate ligament was never operated on. In all other cases, management was conservative.

RESULTS

Sixty-seven knees were included (55 male, 11 female; mean age: 37 years). Fifteen patients (25.4%) had bicruciate lesion, and 44 (74.6%) knee dislocation. Mean trauma-to-reduction interval was 3 hrs 50 min. Only one of the nine cases of popliteal artery lesion exhibited discernible distal pulse wave. Only three of these patients underwent vascular surgical repair. Twelve knees (five bicruciate lesions, seven dislocations) had isolated common peroneal nerve damage.

DISCUSSION

This prospective study detailed the epidemiology and treatment of the lesions encountered, with the option of PCL and peripheral ligament reconstruction. The results, however, still require long-term analysis.