Dislocation of the knee: imaging findings.

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Trauma Surgery
• Sports Medicine

Background:

• Knee dislocations are infrequent but increasing injuries.
• Commonly result from high-velocity blunt trauma, such as motor vehicle accidents.
• Other causes include falls, sports, industrial accidents, and low-velocity missteps, especially in the obese.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the mechanisms and epidemiology of knee dislocations.
• To highlight the relevance of knee dislocations in specific populations, such as Special Operations Forces (SOF).

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on knee dislocation mechanisms and demographics.
• Analysis of injury patterns relevant to high-risk activities.

Main Results:

• Knee dislocations involve disruption of the tibiofemoral articulation, with anterior dislocations most common.
• Motor vehicle accidents often cause posterior dislocations ('dashboard injury'), while martial arts can lead to anterior dislocations.
• The injury is more prevalent in men aged 23-31, a demographic common in SOF.

Conclusions:

• Knee dislocations can occur in young, active individuals involved in high-risk activities.
• SOF personnel engaged in parachuting, rappelling, high-speed driving, or mixed martial arts are susceptible.
• Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for healthcare providers serving these populations.