Knee dislocation - Complications of nonoperative and operative management

This article reviews complications associated with nonoperative and operati ve treatment of knee dislocations. Dislocation of the knee is rare; however , it is being recognized with increasing frequency and is a focus of recent research and debate. Although occurrence rates seem low (0.001%-0.013%) ma ny knee dislocations spontaneously reduce, or are reduced in the field, and therefore go undetected. In addition, patients who have sustained multiple trauma may have knee dislocations that are not recognized because at admis sion the focus of attention is on the more obvious and life-threatening inj uries. The true incidence of knee dislocation, therefore, is probably much higher than reported.