Results following treatment of traumatic dislocations of the knee joint

In a retrospective study, 31 patients were identified over a period of 25 years as having sustained traumatic knee dislocations without associated fractures. Three patients had early amputation secondary to vascular complications. Ten popliteal artery disruptions and five peroneal nerve palsies were diagnosed. At the time of follow-up evaluation (average, 40 months), 16 patients were examined. Operatively treated patients (n = 6) tended to have better motion (129 degrees) than nonoperatively treated patients (108 degrees). Varus instability was seen in only two patients treated nonoperatively. All patients except one experienced persistent functional limitations. Roentgenographic follow-up examination showed similar degenerative changes in both groups.