[Amputation as a treatment for complications on a traumatic dislocations of the knee. Case report]

Vascular lesion associated with knee dislocation represents a common and potentially devastating complication. A delay in revascularization that exceeds 8 hours can lead to amputation of the extremity. Therefore it is mandatory to do an immediate examination and an effective diagnosis to rule out this complication.

A 19-year-old male was struck by a motor vehicle and caused traumatic dislocation of the left knee as observed on X-rays. The knee was reduced immediately. At 12 hours, the patient presented edema on the extremity and was then stabilized with external fixators. On the third day the patient developed a compartmental syndrome and artery obstruction, and required fasciotomies and revascularization of the popliteal artery. Twenty four hours later, again the artery was obstructed, conducing to supracondylar amputation.

The purpose of this article is to show that a knee dislocation, with vascular complications, may lead to extremity amputation as a drastic treatment. It is important to emphasize that vigilance of vascular permeability has to be followed every 2-3 hours, for at least 72 hours after the injury, and assisted with Doppler study. And if needed, at the moment when a pulse abnormality is detected an arteriography study must be realized.