Traumatic avulsion of knee joint

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Traumatology

Background:

• Knee joint injuries can range from minor ligament sprains to severe traumatic disruptions.
• Complete joint avulsion is a rare and severe form of knee injury.

Observation:

• A patient presented with a complete avulsion of the knee joint from the surrounding soft tissues.
• Despite the severe knee injury, the patient exhibited preserved ankle and foot function.
• Palpable dorsalis pedis and posterior tibial arteries indicated maintained distal circulation.

Findings:

• The knee joint was completely detached en bloc from the leg's soft tissues.
• Preservation of distal vascularity and full ankle/foot range of motion were noted.
• Surgical management focused on addressing the severe joint disruption.

Implications:

• This case highlights the possibility of preserving distal function despite catastrophic knee joint injury.
• Arthrodesis (joint fusion) emerged as the most suitable treatment option given the extent of the avulsion.
• Understanding such rare presentations is crucial for effective orthopedic trauma management.