[Open knee joint injuries (including vascular and nerve lesions)]

Immediate definitive reconstruction of all damaged structures leads to better results than delayed operations. If direct closure of the joint is not possible, local rotational flaps, muscle flaps or free skin-fat tissue flaps (i.e. a scapular flap) may be used. In injuries of the popliteal artery, the interposition of a saphenic vein graft is preferable to local reconstruction of the artery. Nerve injuries are the only exception to comprehensive primary repair. Reconstruction in these lesions is usually done later when all wounds are healed. The postoperative treatment includes the use of continuous passive motion whenever possible.