Triple dislocation around the knee joint: a case report

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Trauma Management
• Radiology

Background:

• Knee dislocation is a severe injury with potential for limb-threatening complications.
• Three types of knee dislocation exist: patellofemoral, tibiofemoral, and tibiofibular.
• Tibiofemoral dislocation carries the highest risk of neurovascular compromise.

Observation:

• A 40-year-old female sustained simultaneous dislocation of all three knee articulations after a moped accident.
• Diagnosis was confirmed via clinical examination, plain films, CT, and MRI.
• Management involved surgical debridement, reduction, and stabilization.

Findings:

• This is the first reported case of simultaneous dislocation of all three knee articulations (patellofemoral, tibiofemoral, and tibiofibular).
• The patient's injury was successfully managed with surgical intervention.
• Close monitoring is required post-operatively for outcomes.

Implications:

• Simultaneous tri-articular knee dislocation is an extremely rare but severe traumatic event.
• Early recognition and surgical management are critical for limb salvage and functional recovery.
• Long-term monitoring is necessary due to the high prevalence of post-traumatic osteoarthritis following severe knee injuries.