Clinics in sports medicine
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A high-velocity knee dislocation is a true orthopedic emergency. A high index of suspicion is necessary to identify reduced knee dislocations in multiple trauma patients. Coexisting injuries are common in patients with high-velocity knee dislocations. ⋯ Early surgery to improve the functional stability of the knee must be balanced against the risk of major surgery in patients with severe lower extremity and systemic injuries. The long-term risk of knee stiffness versus instability must be considered. Selective, subacute, aggressive collateral ligament repair and bicruciate reconstruction with allografts offer the best chance for optimal outcome.
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Knee dislocations and related knee trauma represent dramatic orthopedic injuries. The severity and spectrum of injury may not be immediately evident to the clinician. ⋯ In anticipation of ligament repair and reconstruction, a preoperative MR imaging study supplemented by an examination under anesthesia allows for an accurate assessment of the pattern and severity of ligament injury. With this knowledge the surgeon is able to prepare properly for surgery and create appropriately placed surgical incisions to afford adequate exposure of all injured structures.