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گھٹنے کے ایک سے زیادہ لیگامنٹ کی چوٹ

Updated Sep 2026
Illustration: knee

اس صفحے کا ترجمہ مشین سے کیا گیا ہے اور ابھی تک کسی ڈاکٹر نے اس کی جانچ نہیں کی۔ انگریزی نسخہ ہی مستند ہے۔

آپ کو کیا محسوس ہوتا ہے

گھٹنے کے ایک سے زیادہ لیگامنٹ کی چوٹ کا مطلب ہے کہ آپ کے گھٹنے کو جوڑ کر رکھنے والے ایک سے زیادہ لیگامنٹ (ligament)، یعنی وہ مضبوط بندھن جو ایک ہڈی کو دوسری ہڈی سے جوڑتے ہیں، پھٹ گئے ہیں۔ یہ عام طور پر کسی بڑے مروڑ، گرنے یا ٹکر کے بعد ہوتا ہے، اور ایسا ہوتے وقت گھٹنا اکثر پوری طرح جواب دے جاتا ہے۔

درد عام طور پر گھٹنے کے بیچ میں گہرائی میں محسوس ہوتا ہے، اور اکثر اندرونی طرف، باہر کی جانب پچھلے کونے میں، یا دونوں جگہ بھی۔ غالباً آپ کا گھٹنا ڈھیلا یا غیر مستحکم محسوس ہوگا، جیسے اس پر وزن ڈالنے سے وہ پھسل جائے گا یا مڑ کر بیٹھ جائے گا۔ سوجن تیزی سے بڑھتی ہے اور بہت زیادہ ہو سکتی ہے۔ چلنا مشکل ہوتا ہے، اور ہو سکتا ہے سیڑھیوں یا ناہموار زمین پر آپ کو اپنے گھٹنے پر بھروسا کرنا محفوظ نہ لگے۔

گھٹنے کو پوری طرح سیدھا کرنا مشکل اور تکلیف دہ ہو سکتا ہے۔ چیزیں اٹھانے کے لیے نیچے جھکنے، گھٹنے ٹیکنے یا اکڑوں بیٹھنے سے درد بھڑک سکتا ہے۔ نیچی کرسی سے اٹھنا، گاڑی میں بیٹھنا یا فٹ پاتھ کے کنارے سے نیچے قدم رکھنا، یہ سب ڈگمگاتا ہوا محسوس ہو سکتا ہے۔ سرگرمی کے بعد گھٹنا اکثر زیادہ خراب محسوس ہوتا ہے اور رات کو اس میں دکھن ہو سکتی ہے، خاص طور پر پہلے دنوں اور ہفتوں میں۔

چونکہ یہ چوٹ اکثر اسی حادثے میں لگنے والی دوسری چوٹوں کے ساتھ آتی ہے، اس لیے ہو سکتا ہے آپ کو جسم کے کسی اور حصے میں بھی درد یا مسائل کا سامنا ہو، جیسے سر، سینہ یا پیٹ۔ گھٹنے کی چپنی کے ارد گرد کے ٹینڈن (tendon)، یعنی وہ مضبوط ڈوری جو پٹھے کو ہڈی سے جوڑتی ہے، اور جوڑ کے اندر جھٹکا جذب کرنے والی گدیاں بھی زخمی ہو سکتی ہیں، جس سے درد اور اکڑاؤ بڑھ جاتا ہے۔ کچھ صورتوں میں گھٹنے کے قریب کے اعصاب یا خون کی نالیاں بھی متاثر ہوتی ہیں، جنہیں آپ کی سرجری کی ٹیم احتیاط سے چیک کرے گی اور ضرورت ہو تو سب سے پہلے ان کا علاج کرے گی۔

ہر گھٹنے کی چوٹ تھوڑی مختلف ہوتی ہے۔ کون سے لیگامنٹ پھٹے ہیں، اس کے علاوہ کتنا نقصان ہوا ہے، اور چوٹ کیسے لگی، یہ سب اس بات پر اثر ڈالتے ہیں کہ آپ کیا محسوس کرتے ہیں اور کون سا علاج آپ کے لیے موزوں ہوگا۔

دراصل کیا ہو رہا ہے

آپ کا گھٹنا چار بڑے لیگامنٹ کے ذریعے جڑا رہتا ہے، جو مضبوط بندھن ہیں اور ہڈی کو ہڈی سے جوڑتے ہیں۔ ایک سامنے ہوتا ہے، ایک پیچھے، ایک اندرونی طرف، اور ایک گروپ باہر کی جانب پچھلے کونے میں۔ ایک سے زیادہ لیگامنٹ کی چوٹ کا مطلب ہے کہ ان میں سے کم از کم دو پھٹ گئے ہیں۔ یہ عام طور پر اس وقت ہوتا ہے جب کسی بڑے حادثے، جیسے گاڑی کے حادثے یا زور سے گرنے، میں گھٹنا زبردستی اپنی جگہ سے ہٹ جاتا ہے اور پھر خود ہی واپس اپنی جگہ پر آ جاتا ہے یا ایمبولینس کا عملہ اسے واپس بٹھا دیتا ہے۔

جب گھٹنا اپنی جگہ سے ہٹتا ہے تو صرف لیگامنٹ ہی زخمی نہیں ہوتے۔ جوڑ کے اندر کی گدیاں پھٹ سکتی ہیں، اور خود جوڑ کی سطح پر نیل پڑ سکتا ہے یا وہ خراب ہو سکتی ہے۔ گھٹنے کی چپنی کے ارد گرد کے ٹینڈن بھی کھنچ سکتے ہیں۔ یہی وجہ ہے کہ آپ کو محسوس ہونے والا درد اور اکڑاؤ ایک ہی گھٹنے میں کئی جگہوں سے آتا ہے، صرف ایک دکھتی ہوئی جگہ سے نہیں۔

گھٹنے کے قریب دو ساختوں کا خاص خیال رکھنا پڑتا ہے۔ ایک بڑی شریان جوڑ کے بالکل پیچھے سے گزرتی ہے اور مضبوطی سے اپنی جگہ پر جمی ہوتی ہے، اس لیے جب گھٹنا اپنی جگہ سے ہٹتا ہے تو یہ کھنچ یا پھٹ سکتی ہے۔ وہ عصب جو ٹانگ کے باہر والی طرف، ٹانگ کے نچلے حصے کی چھوٹی ہڈی کے اوپری سرے کے قریب سے نیچے جاتا ہے، وہ بھی کھنچ سکتا ہے۔ اگر وہ عصب متاثر ہو تو پاؤں کے اگلے حصے کو اوپر اٹھانا کمزور ہو سکتا ہے یا پاؤں ڈھیلا پڑ کر لٹک سکتا ہے۔ یہی وجہ ہے کہ آپ کی سرجری کی ٹیم آپ کی ٹانگ میں نبض اور عصب کے کام کو شروع میں ہی احتیاط سے چیک کرتی ہے۔

آپ کو جو سوجن اور گھٹنے کا جواب دے جانا محسوس ہوتا ہے، وہ براہ راست اس بات کا نتیجہ ہے کہ یہ پھٹے ہوئے بندھن اب جوڑ کو مستحکم نہیں رکھ رہے۔ ان کے بغیر، وزن ڈالنے پر گھٹنا آگے، پیچھے یا ایک طرف کو پھسل سکتا ہے۔ یہ پھسلنا جوڑ کے اندر کی گدیوں اور جوڑ کی سطح پر بھی زور ڈالتا ہے، جس سے درد بڑھ جاتا ہے۔ علاج کا مقصد یہ استحکام بحال کرنا ہے تاکہ گھٹنے پر دوبارہ بھروسا کیا جا سکے۔

ہم اس کے لیے کیا کر سکتے ہیں

سب سے پہلے سادہ ایکسرے کیے جاتے ہیں۔ ایم آر آئی اسکین پھٹے ہوئے لیگامنٹ، جوڑ کے اندر کی گدیوں اور جوڑ کی سطح کی تفصیلی تصویر دیتا ہے۔ اسٹریس ایکسرے (stress X-rays)، جو گھٹنے پر ہلکا دباؤ ڈالتے ہوئے لیے جاتے ہیں، دکھاتے ہیں کہ جوڑ کتنا ڈھیلا ہے اور منصوبہ بنانے میں ہماری مدد کرتے ہیں۔

کچھ گھٹنوں کا علاج سرجری کے بغیر کیا جا سکتا ہے۔ یہ آپ کے لیے مناسب ہو سکتا ہے اگر صحت کے دوسرے مسائل کی وجہ سے لمبا آپریشن محفوظ نہ ہو، یا اگر سہارے کے ساتھ آپ کا گھٹنا مستحکم رہتا ہو۔ علاج گھٹنے کو ساکن رکھنے کے لیے بریس سے شروع ہوتا ہے، پھر طاقت اور حرکت واپس لانے کے لیے فزیوتھراپی کی جاتی ہے۔ چوٹ کی کچھ قسموں میں، جیسے سامنے والا لیگامنٹ پھٹا ہو اور ساتھ میں اندرونی طرف کا لیگامنٹ کھنچا ہوا ہو، صرف بریس اور فزیوتھراپی سے اچھے نتائج مل سکتے ہیں۔ اس طریقے سے علاج کیے گئے ایک گروپ میں 68 فیصد لوگ اپنی پہلی سرگرمی کی سطح پر واپس آ گئے۔ اس کے بجائے سرجری کا مشورہ عام طور پر اس وقت دیا جاتا ہے جب گھٹنا بار بار اپنی جگہ سے پھسلتا رہے، جب کھلے زخم یا خون کی نالیوں کو نقصان شامل ہو، یا جب کسی بچے میں ہڈیوں کی بڑھوتری کی پلیٹیں (growth plates) ابھی کھلی ہوں۔

جب سرجری کی ضرورت ہو تو پھٹے ہوئے لیگامنٹ دوبارہ بنائے جاتے ہیں تاکہ گھٹنا پھر سے مستحکم رہ سکے۔ چونکہ کئی لیگامنٹ ایک ساتھ پھٹے ہوتے ہیں، اس لیے یہ آپریشن ایک لیگامنٹ کی مرمت سے بڑا ہوتا ہے، اور اکثر مرحلوں میں کیا جاتا ہے، جن کے درمیان گھٹنے کو محفوظ رکھا جاتا ہے۔ ہم آپ کے ساتھ اس منصوبے پر بات کریں گے، جس میں یہ بھی شامل ہے کہ نئے لیگامنٹ کے لیے کون سا ٹشو استعمال ہوگا اور آپ کی صحت یابی کے لیے اس کا کیا مطلب ہے۔ یہ فیصلہ ہم آپ کے ساتھ مل کر کریں گے، آپ کی چوٹ، آپ کی صحت اور اس بنیاد پر کہ آپ اپنے گھٹنے سے کیا کام لینا چاہتے ہیں۔

علاج جو بھی ہو، بحالی نتیجے کا ایک بڑا حصہ ہے۔ سرجری کے بعد گھٹنے کو اکثر شروع میں بریس میں سیدھا رکھا جاتا ہے، پھر آہستہ آہستہ موڑا جاتا ہے۔ ایک عام منصوبے میں آپ 6 ہفتے تک ٹانگ پر وزن نہیں ڈالتے، ہفتہ 2 سے ہفتہ 6 تک گھٹنے کو 70 ڈگری تک موڑتے ہیں، اور اس کے بعد آزادی سے حرکت کرتے ہیں۔ جاگنگ کم از کم 3 ماہ تک نہیں کی جاتی۔ لیگامنٹ دوبارہ بنانے کے زیادہ تر پیچیدہ آپریشنوں سے صحت یاب ہونے میں 9 سے 12 ماہ لگتے ہیں، اگرچہ کچھ لوگ 6 ماہ پر ہی بھاری کام یا کھیل پر واپس آ جاتے ہیں۔

کیا توقع رکھیں

گھٹنے کے ایک سے زیادہ لیگامنٹ کی چوٹ سنگین ہوتی ہے، اور صحت یابی میں وقت لگتا ہے۔ پھٹے ہوئے لیگامنٹ کو دوبارہ بنانے کی سرجری کروانے والے زیادہ تر لوگوں کا گھٹنا دوبارہ مستحکم اور قابلِ بھروسا ہو جاتا ہے۔ بہت سے لوگ نتیجے سے مطمئن ہوتے ہیں اور اپنی معمول کی سرگرمیوں پر واپس آ جاتے ہیں۔ کچھ نوجوان کھلاڑی کسی نہ کسی سطح پر کھیل میں واپس آ جاتے ہیں، اگرچہ ہر کوئی بالکل اسی سطح پر واپس نہیں پہنچتا جس پر وہ چوٹ سے پہلے کھیلتا تھا۔

صحت یابی عام طور پر ہفتوں کے بجائے مہینوں میں ناپی جاتی ہے۔ گھٹنے کو ٹھیک ہونے کے لیے وقت چاہیے، پھر طاقت اور اعتماد واپس لانے کے لیے مہینوں کی فزیوتھراپی۔ آپ کی صحت یابی صرف گھٹنے پر منحصر نہیں ہوتی۔ اسی حادثے میں جسم کے دوسرے حصوں، جیسے سر، سینے یا پیٹ، پر لگنے والی چوٹیں صحت یابی کو سست کر سکتی ہیں اور آپ کو زیادہ عرصے ہسپتال میں رکھ سکتی ہیں۔ آپ کی عمر بھی اہم ہے۔ 30 سال سے زیادہ عمر کے لوگ سرجری کے بعد کے سالوں میں کم عمر لوگوں کے مقابلے میں گھٹنے کے کچھ کم اسکور بتاتے ہیں۔ صحت کے دوسرے عوامل، جن میں آپ کا وزن بھی شامل ہے، سرجری کے بعد پیچیدگیوں کے خطرے پر اثر ڈال سکتے ہیں۔

اس سرجری میں ایک لیگامنٹ کے عام آپریشن سے زیادہ خطرہ ہوتا ہے۔ آپریشن کے بعد پہلے 30 دنوں میں کسی پیچیدگی کا امکان، چاہے معمولی ہو یا سنگین، سامنے والے لیگامنٹ کو دوربین کے ذریعے آپریشن (keyhole) سے دوبارہ بنانے کے عام آپریشن کے مقابلے میں زیادہ ہوتا ہے۔ آپریشن کے دوران مسائل کم ہی ہوتے ہیں لیکن بعد کے ابتدائی دنوں اور ہفتوں میں ان کا امکان زیادہ ہوتا ہے۔ آپ کی سرجری کی ٹیم ان پر نظر رکھے گی اور اگر یہ ظاہر ہوں تو بروقت ان کا علاج کرے گی۔

علاج کے بغیر، غیر مستحکم گھٹنا بار بار جواب دیتا رہتا ہے، جس سے وقت کے ساتھ جوڑ کے اندر کی گدیوں اور جوڑ کی سطح پر زور پڑ سکتا ہے۔ جلد سرجری عام طور پر انتظار کرنے یا گھٹنے کو ویسے ہی چھوڑ دینے کے مقابلے میں گھٹنے کو بہتر کام کے قابل بناتی ہے۔ جن گھٹنوں کا علاج نہیں کیا جاتا، وہ طویل مدت میں عموماً ان گھٹنوں سے زیادہ خراب رہتے ہیں جنہیں دوبارہ بنایا جاتا ہے۔

حقیقت پسندانہ اہداف رکھیں۔ زیادہ تر لوگوں کا گھٹنا دوبارہ مستحکم ہو جاتا ہے جس پر وہ روزمرہ زندگی، کام اور بہت سی سرگرمیوں کے لیے بھروسا کر سکتے ہیں۔ اعلیٰ سطح کے کھیل میں مکمل واپسی کچھ لوگوں کے لیے ممکن ہے لیکن ہر ایک کے لیے اس کی ضمانت نہیں۔ آپ کے سرجن آپ کی چوٹ، عمر اور صحت کی بنیاد پر آپ سے بات کریں گے کہ علاج کے بعد آپ کا گھٹنا حقیقت میں کیا کچھ کر سکتا ہے۔

ڈاکٹر کو کب دکھائیں

یہ چوٹ لگتے وقت ایک ایمرجنسی ہوتی ہے۔ اگر کسی گرنے، حادثے یا کسی اور بڑی ٹکر میں آپ کا گھٹنا زبردستی اپنی جگہ سے ہٹ گیا ہو، یا اس کی شکل بری طرح بگڑی ہوئی لگے، تو ہسپتال کی ایمرجنسی جائیں۔ یہی بات اس صورت میں بھی لاگو ہوتی ہے اگر آپ کی ٹانگ ٹھنڈی، سفید پڑی ہوئی یا سُن محسوس ہو، اگر ٹخنے پر نبض نہ ہو، یا اگر آپ اپنے پاؤں کا اگلا حصہ اوپر نہ اٹھا سکیں۔ ان کا مطلب ہو سکتا ہے کہ گھٹنے کے پیچھے کی شریان یا عصب کو نقصان پہنچا ہے، اور اسے فوراً چیک کروانے کی ضرورت ہے۔

اگر پہلے چند ہفتوں کے بعد بھی گھٹنا ڈھیلا رہے یا بار بار جواب دیتا رہے، اگر وہ پوری طرح سیدھا نہ ہو، یا اگر آرام اور بریس کے باوجود سوجن اور درد کم نہ ہو رہے ہوں، تو کسی ماہر ڈاکٹر (specialist) سے معائنہ کروائیں۔ اسی حادثے میں جسم کے دوسرے حصوں پر لگنے والی شدید چوٹیں اس بات کو بدل سکتی ہیں کہ گھٹنے کا علاج کیسے اور کب کیا جائے، اس لیے اپنی ٹیم کو سر، سینے یا پیٹ کی کسی بھی چوٹ کے بارے میں بھی بتائیں۔


Evidence & references

This is the clinical evidence summary written for health professionals. It is technical, and it lists the research this page was built from. You do not need to read it to understand your treatment or to make a decision about it.

Anatomy & Pathophysiology

Bony Anatomy

  • The bones of the knee are the distal femur, the proximal tibia, and the patella [2].
  • The medial femoral condyle is larger and projects farther posteriorly and distally than the lateral condyle [6].
  • The lateral femoral condyle projects farther anteriorly and is wider in the medial-lateral direction than the medial femoral condyle [6].
  • The tibial articular surface slopes 7° to 10° in the sagittal plane [6].
  • The posterior slope of the medial tibial plateau averages 10.7° and the lateral plateau averages 7.2° [11].
  • The medial tibial plateau is larger than the lateral plateau and is concave in its frontal and sagittal planes [6].
  • The lateral tibial plateau is smaller, more circular, concave in the frontal plane, and convex in the sagittal plane [6].
  • The patella is the largest sesamoid bone in the body with a mean thickness of 2.5 cm [6, 11].
  • The patellar articular surface contains a vertical central ridge separating the broader lateral facet from the medial facet, plus a smaller medial odd facet [6].
  • The fibular head is located a mean of 1.5 cm distal to the joint line, with a range of 6 to 32 mm [11].

Ligaments

  • The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) prevents anterior translation and rotation of the tibia on the femur [2].
  • The ACL is composed of 90% type I collagen and 10% type III collagen [6, 7, 11].
  • The mean length of the ACL is 33 mm and the mean midsubstance width is 11 mm [6, 11].
  • The ACL femoral attachment is a semicircular area on the posteromedial aspect of the lateral femoral condyle [6, 7, 11].
  • The ACL tibial attachment is a broad, irregular, oval-shaped area between the medial and lateral tibial spinous processes [6, 11].
  • The ACL consists of an anteromedial bundle that is tight in flexion and a posterolateral bundle that is tight in extension [7, 8, 11].
  • The posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) prevents posterior subluxation of the tibia on the femur [2].
  • The PCL is the largest intra-articular ligament with an average length of 38 mm and a mean midsubstance diameter of 13 mm [11, 19].
  • The PCL cross-sectional area is approximately 120% to 150% greater than that of the ACL [19].
  • The PCL has two bundles: an anterolateral (AL) bundle comprising 85% of the cross-sectional area and a posteromedial (PM) bundle [19].
  • The PCL AL bundle is tight in knee flexion, while the PM bundle is tight in knee extension [11].
  • The PCL tibial insertion is located 10 to 15 mm distal to the joint line on the posterior tibia [11, 19].
  • The medial collateral ligament (MCL) has superficial and deep portions that stabilize the knee against valgus stresses [2].
  • The superficial MCL proximal division resists valgus tibial translation, while the distal division resists tibial external rotation in extension [7, 8].
  • The lateral collateral ligament (LCL), or fibular collateral ligament, runs from the lateral femoral condyle to the head of the fibula and is the main stabilizer against varus stress [2].
  • The LCL resists varus tibial translation and tibial external rotation, especially at 30 degrees of knee flexion [7, 8].
  • The popliteofibular ligament is present in 90% of knees and runs from the popliteus tendon to the styloid on the posterior fibular head [2].
  • The popliteofibular ligament resists tibial external rotation, especially in knee flexion, and posterior tibial displacement [7, 8].
  • The oblique popliteal ligament resists knee hyperextension and varus tibial translation [7, 8].
  • The meniscofemoral ligaments (Humphrey and Wrisberg) are present in 93% of knees and connect the posterior horn of the lateral meniscus to the intercondylar notch [11, 19].
  • The anterolateral ligament (ALL) was demonstrated in 100% of 23 human cadaveric knees in a dissection study [29].

Menisci

  • The menisci are C-shaped fibrocartilaginous disks that provide shock absorption, increase joint congruency, enhance stability, and aid in synovial fluid distribution [2].
  • The medial meniscus is firmly attached to the joint capsule along its entire peripheral edge [2].
  • The lateral meniscus is attached to the anterior and posterior capsule but has a region posterolaterally where it is not firmly attached [2].
  • The medial meniscus has less mobility than the lateral meniscus and is more susceptible to tearing when trapped between the femoral condyle and tibial plateau [2].
  • The lateral meniscus is larger than the medial meniscus and carries a greater share of the lateral compartment pressure [2].
  • The menisci consist of type I collagen fibers arranged obliquely, radially, and vertically [11].
  • Vascular supply to the menisci penetrates 20% to 30% of the peripheral medial meniscus and 10% to 25% of the peripheral lateral meniscus [11].

Vascular and Neurologic Anatomy

  • The blood supply to the knee is formed from an anastomosis including the descending geniculate, superior and inferior geniculate, middle geniculate, and anterior tibial recurrent arteries [6].
  • The middle geniculate artery supplies both the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments [6, 11].
  • The popliteal artery travels through the adductor hiatus and distally through the fibrous arch deep to the soleus muscle, where it is relatively immobile [16].
  • The common peroneal nerve travels along the posterior edge of the biceps femoris and continues distally around the fibular neck [16].
  • The tibial nerve courses distally through the center of the popliteal fossa after branching from the sciatic nerve [16].
  • The largest nerve providing innervation of the intra-articular knee is the posterior articular branch of the tibial nerve [6].

Kinematics and Biomechanics

  • The knee is a hinge joint that incorporates gliding and rolling, with a "screw-home" mechanism where the tibia externally rotates 5 degrees in the final 15 degrees of extension [7, 8].
  • The greatest range of motion occurs in the sagittal plane at approximately 160° [22].
  • Knee rotation ranges from 45° in external rotation to 30° in internal rotation [22].
  • In the frontal plane, the range of motion in both abduction and adduction reaches a maximum of 10° [22].
  • Rupture of the cruciate ligaments or disruption of the tibiofemoral surface causes a major change in the path of the instant center, leading to articular dysfunction [22].
  • The crossed four-bar linkage system describes the ACL and PCL as the central pivot and gear, while the menisci provide peripheral force control and braking [23].

Pathophysiology of Knee Dislocation

  • Knee dislocations represent less than 0.2% of all orthopaedic injuries [16].
  • 20% to 50% of knee dislocations spontaneously reduce in the field, leading to underreporting of true incidence [16].
  • The four major ligamentous stabilizers of the knee are the ACL, PCL, MCL, and fibular collateral ligament [16].
  • The posterolateral corner (PLC) consists of the FCL, iliotibial band, popliteofibular ligament, biceps femoris, and popliteus tendon [16].
  • Associated fractures occur in 57% of knee dislocations, with multiple fractures in 41% and open fractures in 27% [34].
  • Damage to cartilage and menisci occurs in at least one-third of patients with traumatic knee dislocation [34].
  • Popliteal artery compromise following multiligament knee injury is estimated to occur as high as 50% [34].
  • Peroneal nerve palsy complicates knee dislocations at a frequency of approximately 25% [34].
  • Recovery of antigravity ankle dorsiflexion strength was observed in 38% of patients with complete peroneal nerve palsy compared to 83% with partial palsy [34].
  • High-energy knee dislocations are associated with life-threatening injuries in 27% of patients [34].

Clinical Presentation

  • Acute knee dislocation is described as an elusive entity [1].
  • Knee dislocations can occur in overweight patients [1].
  • Knee dislocations can be associated with vascular injury [1].
  • Low-velocity mechanisms can result in knee dislocation [1].

Investigations

Plain Radiography

  • Plain radiographs are appropriate initial imaging studies for most knee conditions because they allow the assessment of traumatic injury, arthritis, patellofemoral alignment, osteochondral injury, bone neoplasm, and surgical implants [4].
  • Imaging studies should include at least two perpendicular views: AP and lateral [4].
  • Non–weight-bearing radiographs may identify acute injury without the risk of fracture displacement [4].
  • Lateral capsular avulsion (meniscotibial ligament) is pathognomonic but not essential for ACL injury [4].
  • Avulsion of the medial femoral epicondyle (Pellegrini-Stieda lesion) may appear within a few weeks of proximal MCL avulsion injury [4].
  • Weight-bearing AP and lateral views are standard for initial evaluation [24].
  • A view of the weight-bearing knee flexed at 45-degree angle, imaged posterior to anterior, is included in standard imaging [24].
  • A standing full-length AP radiograph from hip joint to ankle joint is used to evaluate limb alignment and knee deformity [24].
  • Supine AP knee radiographs do not adequately estimate the joint space width [28].
  • Plain frontal radiographs of the knee may not accurately display the actual joint space due to different cartilage wear patterns, meniscal integrity, or variances in tibial slopes [28].
  • A 45° standing flexion view was introduced to improve evaluation of the joint space [28].
  • A fixed flexion view (FFV) technique has been introduced with improved reproducibility and good evaluation of the joint space [28].
  • Goniometer readings of long limb alignment or measured on an FFV correlated well with the angle measured on long limb radiographs, providing an alternative imaging source if long limb radiographs are not available [28].

Computed Tomography

  • Computed tomography provides enhanced bone detail [4].
  • Three-dimensional CT reconstructions may help with preoperative planning for complex intra-articular fractures, multiplanar osteotomy for limb malalignment, and reconstitution of bone loss in joint arthroplasty [4].
  • Three-dimensional CT with remodeling is used for preoperative planning for reconstruction associated with dysplasia, post-trauma planning, and complex total knee arthroplasty planning [24].

Magnetic Resonance Imaging

  • MRI may help assess overall limb alignment and further delineate intra-articular and extra-articular soft tissues, including cartilage, menisci, ligaments, tendons, muscles, and nerve and vascular structures [4].
  • The presence of edema, intra-articular fluid, disruption of ligament fibers, and an atypical ligament contour may suggest cruciate ligament injury [4].
  • Patterns of meniscal injury can be identified by location (anterior, midbody, posterior, peripheral, articular), pattern (horizontal, longitudinal, radial, complex), and displacement [4].
  • MRI may identify the degree of articular cartilage injury (chondrosis, full-thickness cartilage loss), the presence of associated bone marrow edema, and the location [4].
  • Edema, avulsion, or discontinuity may be identified for the MCL/LCL or associated posteromedial and posterolateral ligamentous complexes [4].
  • MRI may be used to assess the continuity of the quadriceps or patellar tendon [4].
  • MRI may be used to assess the margin of resection for a neoplasm, identify vascular malformation, or define the location of nerves or vessels relative to popliteal cysts [4].
  • Increasing strength of the magnetic field (measured in Tesla units) increases the resolution of images [4].
  • An injected contrast agent (intravenous or intra-articular) may help delineate specific tissues of interest [4].
  • MRI is the most useful study for differentiating osteonecrosis from other conditions [30].
  • Serpentine lesions within a well-demarcated border is a specific finding on MRI for osteonecrosis [30].
  • Bone edema on MRI is a common feature of OA, osteonecrosis, cartilage injury, and transient regional osteoporosis [30].
  • MRI is grossly overused in the arthritic patient population [24].
  • If the joint space is significantly narrowed on radiograph, then MRI is not indicated [24].
  • MRI is used when osteonecrosis is suspected [24].
  • Radiographic evaluations are essential when diagnosing an OCD lesion of the knee and elbow; however, important aspects of the OCD lesions may be better seen with MRI [27].

Nuclear Medicine

  • Nuclear medicine provides a nonspecific study that does not define the etiology of an abnormality but rather the presence of an abnormality that may correlate with a clinical concern [4].
  • Increased radionuclide activity in bone may be a normal postoperative finding for up to 6 to 12 months after a fracture repair or arthroplasty [4].
  • Technetium-99 (Tc-99) is a radionuclide that may help identify infection, neoplasia, occult fracture, bone healing, active phases of heterotopic ossification, implant loosening, or failure of osseointegration [4].
  • Gallium-67 (Ga-67) is a radionuclide that may help differentiate between aseptic and septic prosthetic loosening; 24 to 72 hours are needed for a complete study [4].

Diagnostic Accuracy and Clinical Correlation

  • A systematic review quantified the accuracy of MRI for detection of meniscal injury and ACL tear [21].
  • Physical examination along with radiographic or advanced imaging findings must be used concomitantly to determine the source of each patient’s symptoms, and to determine appropriate surgical intervention when nonsurgical measures have failed [9].
  • Assessment of the joint must combine physical examination along with radiographic (including full-length alignment views) and MRI findings [31].

Treatment

Non-Operative Management

  • Nonoperative treatment of knee dislocations is indicated when comorbidity or concomitant injury is of sufficient severity to preclude extensive surgery or anesthetic [33].
  • Skeletal immaturity is a relative indication for nonoperative treatment of knee dislocations [33].
  • Open dislocations are a relative contraindication for nonoperative treatment of knee dislocations [33].
  • Dislocations with associated vascular injury are a relative contraindication for nonoperative treatment of knee dislocations [33].
  • Irreducible dislocations are a relative contraindication for nonoperative treatment of knee dislocations [33].
  • Dislocations with associated compartment syndrome are a relative contraindication for nonoperative treatment of knee dislocations [33].
  • Dislocations with subsequent multiligament laxity and joint subluxation are a relative contraindication for nonoperative treatment of knee dislocations [33].
  • Life-threatening polytrauma is associated with high-energy mechanism knee dislocations in approximately 27% of cases [33].
  • Multiligament knee injury can occur with minimal trauma in obese individuals, referred to as the “ultra-low” energy knee dislocation [33].
  • In patients with significant open wounds, implantation of allograft tissue for reconstruction of torn knee ligaments may be too dangerous due to the risk of contamination and potential infection [33].
  • The role of surgical reconstruction in skeletally immature and elderly patients with knee dislocations is unknown [33].
  • In elderly patients with knee dislocations, comorbidity imposes an obvious risk for surgical intervention [33].
  • Technical difficulties in elderly patients with knee dislocations are presented by poor bone quality and the unpredictability of surgical reconstruction of ligamentous injury in those with any degree of preexisting arthritis [33].
  • Complex constructs described for reconstruction of multiligament injuries, especially those with several tibial tunnels, significantly increase the chance for growth disturbance in children with open growth plates [33].

Operative Management: Graft Selection

  • Various combinations of different autografts and allografts, with various reconstruction techniques, are described in the multiligament injury literature [5].
  • Attempts to differentiate outcomes between various graft combinations and reconstruction techniques in the multiligament injury literature have become nearly impossible [5].
  • Most surgeons are hesitant to add further morbidity by harvesting autograft tissue from the injured knee due to the extreme insult to the joint and its soft tissue envelope at the time of dislocation [5].
  • The integrity of autograft tissue may be compromised in the recently traumatized state [5].
  • Concerns among surgeons who favor autograft harvest include the mechanical integrity of allograft, its sterility, and its ability to integrate into a foreign host [5].
  • The debate over the optimal preparation of allograft tissue continues, with maintenance of structural integrity being weighed against the complete eradication of potential pathogens [5].
  • Allograft is unavailable in many countries and centers [5].
  • In some places, the cost of procuring allografts may be prohibitive [5].
  • For surgeons who employ allograft in the treatment of multiple ligament knee injuries, a specific conversation with the patient outlining its necessity and potential risks is essential [5].
  • The issue of autograft versus allograft is likely to be effectively answered only by a multicentered study [5].

Postoperative Rehabilitation

  • Rehabilitation protocols described in the literature for knee dislocations following surgery vary [32].
  • A systematic review by Mook et al. suggested that immobilizing knees after acute surgery for knee dislocation led to increased posterior instability versus a protocol of early mobilization [32].
  • A systematic review by Mook et al. found that the trend of increased posterior instability with immobilization was also seen in the incidence of postoperative varus and valgus laxity [32].
  • A systematic review by Mook et al. found that within chronic treatment groups, varus laxity was increased with early mobilization [32].
  • A systematic review by Mook et al. showed that immobilization after acute surgical treatment of knee dislocations increased the incidence of both flexion loss >10 degrees and extension loss >5 degrees [32].
  • A systematic review by Mook et al. found that patients were significantly more likely to have severely abnormal or poor outcomes with prolonged immobilization [32].
  • A systematic review by Mook et al. found that patients were significantly less likely to return to work with prolonged immobilization [32].
  • Richter et al. compared 6 weeks of immobilization to functional rehabilitation (flexion to 60 degrees allowed after 48 hours) in patients managed both operatively and nonoperatively [32].
  • Statistically significant improvements were seen in the Lysholm and Tegner scores, but not the IKDC scores, in patients treated with functional rehabilitation compared to immobilization [32].
  • Early results from a prospective randomized study suggest reduced instability and reduced surgical failure rates with the use of a hinged knee external fixation device compared to a hinged knee brace [32].
  • A randomized comparison of early versus delayed rehabilitation protocols following acute (<3 weeks) multiligament surgery is subject to the issue of heterogeneity among patterns of injury and repair techniques [32].
  • Early motion may be a more favorable option to surgeons who in the past had been hesitant to mobilize acutely repaired tissues, given the more recent popularity of combined early repair and reconstruction [32].

References

[1] Campbell S Operative Orthopaedics 4 Volume Set. ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT RECONSTRUCTION WITH BONE-PATELLAR TENDON-BONE GRAFT > DISLOCATIONS OF THE KNEE JOINT.

[2] A Lange Medical Book Current Diagnosis Treatment In Orthopedics Fifth Edition. 3Sports Medicine > Image KNEE INJURIES.

[4] Aaos Comprehensive Orthopaedic Review 3. Radiographic Evaluation and Surgical Anatomy of the Knee > I. Radiographic Evaluation.

[5] Rockwood And Green S Fractures In Adults. 59: Patellar Fractures and Dislocations and Extensor Mechanism Injuries > Autograft Versus Allograft Reconstruction for Knee Dislocations.

[6] Aaos Comprehensive Orthopaedic Review 3. Anatomy and Biomechanics of the Knee > I. Anatomy.

[7] Miller S Review Of Orthopaedics. SECTION 16 PATELLAR TRACKING IN TOTAL KNEE ARTHROPLASTY > SECTION 1 KNEE > ANATOMY (FIG. 4.1).

[8] Miller S Review Of Orthopaedics. SECTION 1 KNEE > ANATOMY (FIG. 4.1).

[9] Orthopaedic Knowledge Update 13 Ebook Without Multimedia. Knee Arthroscopy and Preservation, Knee Reconstruction > Introduction.

[11] Aaos Comprehensive Orthopaedic Review 3. Radiographic Evaluation and Surgical Anatomy of the Knee > II. Surgical Anatomy of the Knee.

[16] Aaos Comprehensive Orthopaedic Review 3. Knee Dislocations and Patellar Fractures* > I. Knee Dislocations.

[19] Rockwood And Green S Fractures In Adults. 59: Patellar Fractures and Dislocations and Extensor Mechanism Injuries > Posterior Knee Anatomy.

[21] Orthopaedic Knowledge Update 13 Ebook Without Multimedia. Knee Arthroscopy and Preservation, Knee Reconstruction > Annotated References.

[22] Aaos Comprehensive Orthopaedic Review 3. Biomechanics and Wear in Joint Arthroplasty > III. The Knee Joint.

[23] Orthopaedic Knowledge Update 13 Ebook Without Multimedia. Knee Anatomy > Knee Kinematics.

[24] Miller S Review Of Orthopaedics. SECTION 16 PATELLAR TRACKING IN TOTAL KNEE ARTHROPLASTY > SECTION 11 KNEE ARTHRITIS ASSESSMENT.

[27] Orthopaedic Knowledge Update. Osteochondritis Dissecans of the Knee and Elbow* > Summary.

[28] Orthopaedic Knowledge Update 13 Ebook Without Multimedia. Knee Anatomy > Imaging (Radiograph, MRI, CT Scan, Dynamic Versus Static) > Radiograph.

[29] Orthopaedic Knowledge Update 13 Ebook Without Multimedia. Knee Anatomy > Annotated References.

[30] Aaos Comprehensive Orthopaedic Review 3. General Evaluation of the Knee Patient > III. Osteonecrosis.

[31] Orthopaedic Knowledge Update 13 Ebook Without Multimedia. Knee Arthroscopy and Preservation, Knee Reconstruction > Summary.

[32] Rockwood And Green S Fractures In Adults. 59: Patellar Fractures and Dislocations and Extensor Mechanism Injuries > Postoperative Rehabilitation for Knee Dislocations.

[33] Rockwood And Green S Fractures In Adults. 59: Patellar Fractures and Dislocations and Extensor Mechanism Injuries > Nonoperative Treatment of Knee Dislocations.

[34] Rockwood And Green S Fractures In Adults. 59: Patellar Fractures and Dislocations and Extensor Mechanism Injuries > Assessment of Knee Dislocations > Injuries Associated with Knee Dislocations.

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2. Exceptions and Limitations. For the avoidance of doubt, where Exceptions and Limitations apply to Your use, this Public License does not apply, and You do not need to comply with its terms and conditions.

3. Term. The term of this Public License is specified in Section 6(a).

4. Media and formats; technical modifications allowed. The Licensor authorizes You to exercise the Licensed Rights in all media and formats whether now known or hereafter created, and to make technical modifications necessary to do so. The Licensor waives and/or agrees not to assert any right or authority to forbid You from making technical modifications necessary to exercise the Licensed Rights, including technical modifications necessary to circumvent Effective Technological Measures. For purposes of this Public License, simply making modifications authorized by this Section 2(a) (4) never produces Adapted Material.

5. Downstream recipients.

a. Offer from the Licensor -- Licensed Material. Every recipient of the Licensed Material automatically receives an offer from the Licensor to exercise the Licensed Rights under the terms and conditions of this Public License.

b. No downstream restrictions. You may not offer or impose any additional or different terms or conditions on, or apply any Effective Technological Measures to, the Licensed Material if doing so restricts exercise of the Licensed Rights by any recipient of the Licensed Material.

6. No endorsement. Nothing in this Public License constitutes or may be construed as permission to assert or imply that You are, or that Your use of the Licensed Material is, connected with, or sponsored, endorsed, or granted official status by, the Licensor or others designated to receive attribution as provided in Section 3(a)(1)(A)(i).

b. Other rights.

1. Moral rights, such as the right of integrity, are not licensed under this Public License, nor are publicity, privacy, and/or other similar personality rights; however, to the extent possible, the Licensor waives and/or agrees not to assert any such rights held by the Licensor to the limited extent necessary to allow You to exercise the Licensed Rights, but not otherwise.

2. Patent and trademark rights are not licensed under this Public License.

3. To the extent possible, the Licensor waives any right to collect royalties from You for the exercise of the Licensed Rights, whether directly or through a collecting society under any voluntary or waivable statutory or compulsory licensing scheme. In all other cases the Licensor expressly reserves any right to collect such royalties, including when the Licensed Material is used other than for NonCommercial purposes.

Section 3 -- License Conditions.

Your exercise of the Licensed Rights is expressly made subject to the following conditions.

a. Attribution.

1. If You Share the Licensed Material (including in modified form), You must:

a. retain the following if it is supplied by the Licensor with the Licensed Material:

i. identification of the creator(s) of the Licensed Material and any others designated to receive attribution, in any reasonable manner requested by the Licensor (including by pseudonym if designated);

ii. a copyright notice;

iii. a notice that refers to this Public License;

iv. a notice that refers to the disclaimer of warranties;

v. a URI or hyperlink to the Licensed Material to the extent reasonably practicable;

b. indicate if You modified the Licensed Material and retain an indication of any previous modifications; and

c. indicate the Licensed Material is licensed under this Public License, and include the text of, or the URI or hyperlink to, this Public License.

2. You may satisfy the conditions in Section 3(a)(1) in any reasonable manner based on the medium, means, and context in which You Share the Licensed Material. For example, it may be reasonable to satisfy the conditions by providing a URI or hyperlink to a resource that includes the required information.

3. If requested by the Licensor, You must remove any of the information required by Section 3(a)(1)(A) to the extent reasonably practicable.

4. If You Share Adapted Material You produce, the Adapter's License You apply must not prevent recipients of the Adapted Material from complying with this Public License.

Section 4 -- Sui Generis Database Rights.

Where the Licensed Rights include Sui Generis Database Rights that apply to Your use of the Licensed Material:

a. for the avoidance of doubt, Section 2(a)(1) grants You the right to extract, reuse, reproduce, and Share all or a substantial portion of the contents of the database for NonCommercial purposes only;

b. if You include all or a substantial portion of the database contents in a database in which You have Sui Generis Database Rights, then the database in which You have Sui Generis Database Rights (but not its individual contents) is Adapted Material; and

c. You must comply with the conditions in Section 3(a) if You Share all or a substantial portion of the contents of the database.

For the avoidance of doubt, this Section 4 supplements and does not replace Your obligations under this Public License where the Licensed Rights include other Copyright and Similar Rights.

Section 5 -- Disclaimer of Warranties and Limitation of Liability.

a. UNLESS OTHERWISE SEPARATELY UNDERTAKEN BY THE LICENSOR, TO THE EXTENT POSSIBLE, THE LICENSOR OFFERS THE LICENSED MATERIAL AS-IS AND AS-AVAILABLE, AND MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND CONCERNING THE LICENSED MATERIAL, WHETHER EXPRESS, IMPLIED, STATUTORY, OR OTHER. THIS INCLUDES, WITHOUT LIMITATION, WARRANTIES OF TITLE, MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT, ABSENCE OF LATENT OR OTHER DEFECTS, ACCURACY, OR THE PRESENCE OR ABSENCE OF ERRORS, WHETHER OR NOT KNOWN OR DISCOVERABLE. WHERE DISCLAIMERS OF WARRANTIES ARE NOT ALLOWED IN FULL OR IN PART, THIS DISCLAIMER MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.

b. TO THE EXTENT POSSIBLE, IN NO EVENT WILL THE LICENSOR BE LIABLE TO YOU ON ANY LEGAL THEORY (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, NEGLIGENCE) OR OTHERWISE FOR ANY DIRECT, SPECIAL, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE, EXEMPLARY, OR OTHER LOSSES, COSTS, EXPENSES, OR DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF THIS PUBLIC LICENSE OR USE OF THE LICENSED MATERIAL, EVEN IF THE LICENSOR HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH LOSSES, COSTS, EXPENSES, OR DAMAGES. WHERE A LIMITATION OF LIABILITY IS NOT ALLOWED IN FULL OR IN PART, THIS LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.

c. The disclaimer of warranties and limitation of liability provided above shall be interpreted in a manner that, to the extent possible, most closely approximates an absolute disclaimer and waiver of all liability.

Section 6 -- Term and Termination.

a. This Public License applies for the term of the Copyright and Similar Rights licensed here. However, if You fail to comply with this Public License, then Your rights under this Public License terminate automatically.

b. Where Your right to use the Licensed Material has terminated under Section 6(a), it reinstates:

1. automatically as of the date the violation is cured, provided it is cured within 30 days of Your discovery of the violation; or

2. upon express reinstatement by the Licensor.

For the avoidance of doubt, this Section 6(b) does not affect any right the Licensor may have to seek remedies for Your violations of this Public License.

c. For the avoidance of doubt, the Licensor may also offer the Licensed Material under separate terms or conditions or stop distributing the Licensed Material at any time; however, doing so will not terminate this Public License.

d. Sections 1, 5, 6, 7, and 8 survive termination of this Public License.

Section 7 -- Other Terms and Conditions.

a. The Licensor shall not be bound by any additional or different terms or conditions communicated by You unless expressly agreed.

b. Any arrangements, understandings, or agreements regarding the Licensed Material not stated herein are separate from and independent of the terms and conditions of this Public License.

Section 8 -- Interpretation.

a. For the avoidance of doubt, this Public License does not, and shall not be interpreted to, reduce, limit, restrict, or impose conditions on any use of the Licensed Material that could lawfully be made without permission under this Public License.

b. To the extent possible, if any provision of this Public License is deemed unenforceable, it shall be automatically reformed to the minimum extent necessary to make it enforceable. If the provision cannot be reformed, it shall be severed from this Public License without affecting the enforceability of the remaining terms and conditions.

c. No term or condition of this Public License will be waived and no failure to comply consented to unless expressly agreed to by the Licensor.

d. Nothing in this Public License constitutes or may be interpreted as a limitation upon, or waiver of, any privileges and immunities that apply to the Licensor or You, including from the legal processes of any jurisdiction or authority.


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