Subacute High-Energy Traumatic Knee Dislocation in an Ambulatory Patient: A Case Report.

CASE: A 62-year-old man presented with a posterolateral knee dislocation sustained in a motorcycle collision initially managed nonsurgically. His treatment was complicated by recurrent dislocation from noncompliance with bracing and weight-bearing restrictions and by comorbidities including peripheral artery disease, type 2 diabetes, and heavy smoking and drinking. He was treated with a multiplanar knee-spanning external fixator and patellar tendon repair without further ligamentous reconstruction. This treatment provided a stable, functional knee with minimal pain.

CONCLUSIONS: In this complex, noncompliant patient with a subacute knee dislocation, knee-spanning biplanar external fixation and patellar tendon repair without ligament reconstruction were crucial in achieving a satisfactory outcome.