The dislocated knee

Appropriate management of the dislocated knee remains a highly controversial subject in the orthopaedic literature. From initial evaluation to definitive management the clinician must approach the dislocated or multiligamentously injured knee with a high degree of suspicion as both the immediate threat to limb survival and the delayed risk of a poor functional outcome are not small. After initial stabilization, early ligament reconstruction or repair of all grade III ligament injuries is widely advocated in recent literature. Good functional stability and range of motion have been reported following anatomic reconstruction and aggressive rehabilitation. The definitive management of the dislocated knee will no doubt continue to evolve in union with approaches toward the treatment of isolate knee injuries. Finally, better designed studies with regard to both the initial evaluation of the dislocated knee and the management of the multiple ligament injured knee will be needed to help guide the treatment of this complicated entity.