Incidence and Outcome of Popliteal Artery Injury Associated with Knee Dislocations, Ligamentous Injuries, and Close to Knee Fractures: A Nationwide Population Based Cohort Study

Surgical management and rehabilitation of ultra-low velocity bilateral multi-ligament knee injury: A case report

Bilateral low-velocity multi-ligament knee Injury (MLKI) is a rare injury increasing in prevalence along with obesity. Early surgical intervention is indicated to improve long-term outcomes. We describe the surgical and postoperative management of a bilateral MLKI. The patient underwent staged multi-ligament knee reconstruction 17 and 35 days after injury. Return to light duty was achieved 4 weeks following each procedure and progression to exercise at 6 months. The patient is 2 years postoperative and returned to all activity without complaint. We describe successful surgical and rehabilitation management, which encourages early surgery and rehabilitation strategies to improve long-term outcomes.

Catastrophic case of the total knee arthroplasty dislocation: A case report

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE

Arterial injury is extremely rare after total knee arthroplasty.

CASE PRESENTATION

We describe a 68-year-old woman with dislocation of total knee arthroplasty after falling from a height. She had a popliteal artery injury and a vascular bypass was performed in delay. The patient died of a second myocardial infarction 3.5 months after her first introduction to our center.

CLINICAL DISCUSSION

Due to the prominent risk of vascular injuries after dislocation in TKA patients, we recommend performing vascular evaluations using CT angiography for all patients.

CONCLUSION

Any untreated vascular compromise in the setting of TKA dislocation may lead to devastating outcomes such as amputation and death.

Knee Dislocation as a Result of a Ski Injury

Visible knee deformity as a result of a sporting activity is rare; however, it can be caused by a serious injury and have catastrophic consequences. Differential diagnosis includes patellofemoral or knee dislocations, fractures, and tendon or ligament ruptures. Immediate diagnosis and appropriate management are key. Diagnosis can be made using available tools such as plain radiography, ultrasound, CT scan, and MRI. Depending on the type and severity of the diagnosis, urgent transportation to a higher level of care facility may be indicated. We present a gentleman in his 20s with knee dislocation as a result of a ski injury. His knee was reduced and he was transported to a hospital with surgical capability. He underwent surgery to stabilize his injury and then staged reconstruction for rupture of multiple ligaments.

Five-year outcomes after bypass graft versus Fogarty balloon catheter for the treatment of acute blunt popliteal artery injury

PURPOSE

To evaluate long-term clinical outcomes after revascularization by bypass graft versus Fogarty balloon catheter in acute blunt popliteal artery injury and identify risk factors contributing to amputation.

METHODS

A retrospective review was conducted in patients treated for acute blunt PAI between 2011 and 2019. Inclusion criteria were patients who underwent bypass graft and Fogarty balloon catheter. The cumulative limb salvage rate was calculated by the Kaplan-Meier test and compared with Breslow-Wilcoxon test. Cox proportional hazard model was performed to estimate the potential risk factors for amputation. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to determine the optimal cut-off value for the potential risk factors.

RESULTS

The overall limb salvage rate was 60.4% (29/48), including 24 patients (66.7%) in bypass graft, and 5 patients (41.7%) in Fogarty balloon catheter with mean follow-up of 5 years (range, 2-10 years). Among amputees, 15 patients (15/19, 78.9%) received primary amputation due to vascular failure or severe soft tissue damage, and 4 received secondary amputation because of chronic bone infection or neurologic deficit. Kaplan-Meier curves showed patients who received Fogarty balloon catheter had significantly higher amputation rate than those received bypass graft, with a hazard ratio of 3.801 (95% CI: 1.162-12.43, p = 0.009). In addition, Cox proportional hazard model revealed that MESS was the only independent risk factor for patients developing amputation, and the optimal cut-off value of MESS was 8.

CONCLUSION

Five-year outcome demonstrated that Fogarty balloon catheter is not a safe procedure and has significantly higher amputation rate in severe blunt PAI. MESS is the only risk factor for amputation.

Vascular Injury After Knee Dislocation: A Meta-Analysis Update

INTRODUCTION

Multisystem injuries affecting vasculature and nerves can be detrimental sequelae of knee dislocations (KDs). The purpose of this study was to provide an update of the current literature since the conducted search used in the publication of Medina et al on May 3, 2013, to evaluate (1) the frequency of vascular and neurologic injury after KD, (2) the frequency with which surgical intervention was conducted for vascular injury in this setting, and (3) the frequency with which each imaging modality was used to detect vascular injury.

METHODS

A two-author screening process was conducted in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines using the MEDLINE database. Frequency of vascular injury, surgical intervention, and amputation after KD were analyzed. Diagnostic modalities used in the acute-care setting were also evaluated.

RESULTS

Nineteen articles were analyzed for a total of 37,087 KDs. Of these, 10.7% sustained vascular injuries and 19.6% sustained nerve injuries. Overall, 62.2% of patients with vascular injury underwent surgical repair and 2.2% limbs resulted in amputation. Angiography was the most frequently used diagnostic modality (91.7%).

DISCUSSION

This review updates our understanding on the clinical implications of KDs including frequency of vascular injury (10.7%), amputation (2.2%), and nerve injuries (19.6%). Compared with prior literature, there was an increased prevalence of KD1 (32.4%) and lateral KDs (80.4%). Most vascular injuries after KD undergo surgical repair (62.2%).

Incidence and type of meniscal tears in multilligament injured knees

PURPOSE

Meniscal injuries occurring during multi-ligament knee injuries (MLKI) are underreported. The purpose of this study was to compare the incidence and type of meniscal tears seen at the time of multi-ligament reconstruction surgery compared to those occurring during isolated anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgery.

METHODS

Patients undergoing surgical treatment for MLKI and ACL-only injuries between 2010 and 2020 were reviewed. Two-hundred and thirty-five patients were included in the MLKI group. There were 131 chronic injuries and 104 acute injuries. Two-hundred and twenty-two ACL-only chronic injuries were used as a control group for comparison with the chronic MLKI group. Demographic data, type of meniscal tears, ligament injury patterns (Schenck classification) and time from injury to surgery were recorded. A delayed procedure was defined by a 4-week interval after the knee injury.

RESULTS

A meniscus was torn in 69 knees (29.4%): 36 knees (15.3%) with an isolated medial meniscus tear, 33 knees (17.9%) with an isolated lateral meniscus tear,.Nine knees (3.8%) had both menisci torn. MLKI with medial or lateral-sided bicruciate ligament injuries (KDIIIM-KDIIIL) were significantly associated with a lower rate of meniscal tears than knee injuries involving the ACL-only and medial/lateral-sided ligament injuries (KDI) (medial-sided injuries p = 0.025; lateral-sided injuries p = 0.049). Lateral-sided injuries had significantly less meniscal damage than medial-sided injuries: 22/124 (17.7%) vs. 41/100 (41%); (p < 0.001). No significant differences were found for frequency, type and distribution of meniscal tears between acute and chronic MLKI surgery. ACL-only chronic injuries were associated with a higher rate of meniscal tears: 123/222 knees (55.4%) vs. 35/131 (26.9%) chronic MLKI; (p < 0.001), mainly involving the medial meniscus: 102/222 (46%) vs. 18/131 (13.7%); (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Meniscal tears were less common in the MLKI group than in the isolated ACL injury group. The degree of ligament injury patterns and the side of the injured collateral ligament influenced the type and incidence of meniscal damage. Contrary to isolated ACL injuries, a delayed procedure was not associated with a higher rate of meniscal lesions but did influence the type of treatment. Understanding of meniscal tears patterns in MLKI helps to improve the treatment management of these complex injuries.

Risk of Postoperative Stiffness Following Multiligamentous Knee Injury Surgery Is Not Affected by Obesity: A Multicenter Study

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between obesity and postoperative stiffness following surgical management of multiligamentous knee injuries (MLKIs) using a large two-center cohort, by both 1) using binary cutoffs at various body mass indexes (BMIs) and 2) a linear regression model.

METHODS

190 consecutive patients who underwent surgical management of MLKIs between January 2001 and March 2020 were reviewed at two level 1 academic trauma centers. Patient demographics, surgical characteristics, and manipulation under anesthesia (MUA)/lysis of adhesions (LOA) were reviewed. Patients were stratified by obesity grades: grade 1 (BMI 30 to <35) grade 2 (BMI 35 to <40); grade 3 (BMI >40), and compared with a nonobese comparison group with BMI <30. Multivariate logistic regressions were performed, including the covariates of age, gender, BMI, acute versus chronic injury, external fixator, vascular injury, knee dislocation, and Schenck Classification. Fisher's exact test was used to compare rate of MUA between grades of obesity. Analyses were performed with R. Statistical significance was set at P < .05.

RESULTS

The mean BMI of the cohort was 29.2 kg/m². The mean overall follow-up was 27.2 ± 7.2 months (range: 14-142 months). There were 55 (29.1%) MUA procedures observed at a mean 3.77 ± 2.18 months (range: 1.8-9.7 months) after final MLKI surgery. No significant difference was found in BMI of patients who underwent a MUA compared to patients who did not (30.2 vs 28.8; P = .67). There was no significant difference in rate or time to MUA following MLKI surgery between groups, with logistic regression demonstrating no significance (P = .144). Use of external fixation at the index surgery (OR = 3.3 [95% CI: 2.2, 4.7; P < .0001]) and vascular injury (OR = 6.2 [95% CI: 1.8, 24.5; P = .005]) were found to be independent predictors for need for MUA.

CONCLUSION

No difference in risk for postoperative stiffness requiring MUA following surgery for MLKI was found based on BMI. At all BMI levels, there were no significant increase in need for postoperative MUA, suggesting at minimum a neutralizing effect of obesity on postoperative stiffness. In addition, patients with external fixator use and vascular injury at index surgery were found to be at significantly higher risk for postoperative stiffness requiring MUA following surgery for MLKI. Surgeons should be aware of the risk factors for arthrofibrosis when proceeding with surgical repair or reconstruction of two or more ligaments of the knee.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

III, multicenter retrospective cohort study.

Popliteal Artery Injury After Fracture and/or Dislocation of the Knee: Risk Stratification for Revascularization Outcome

BACKGROUND

Managing complex knee trauma involving both vascular and osseous injuries is challenging, yet the available guidelines for efficient popliteal artery injury management after high-velocity blunt knee trauma remain conflicting and inconsistent. In this study, the authors aim to identify the risk factors associated with delayed limb amputation and ischemic muscular sequela postrevascularization. Furthermore, we propose a treatment algorithm to improve the limb salvage rate.

METHODS

Patients who presented with traumatic popliteal artery injury resulting in vessel occlusion or rupture, followed by fracture and/or dislocation of the knee from January 2008 to December 2013, were included for retrospective review.

RESULTS

Overall delayed amputation rate was 24% (7/29) and 16% (4/25) after successful revascularization. Mangled Extremity Severity Score is higher in the delayed amputation group than the limb-salvaged group (P = 0.02). Higher-impact force (P = 0.03), ischemic limb on presentation (P = 0.03), prolonged ischemia time (P = 0.04), unstable hemodynamics (P = 0.01), longer operation time (P = 0.04), and prolonged intensive care unit stay (P = 0.03) are risk factors of delayed amputation. Longer ischemia time (P = 0.04) and length of popliteal artery injury (P = 0.02) are associated with ischemic muscular sequela.

CONCLUSIONS

Mangled Extremity Severity Score is a reliable predictor of limb salvage. An algorithmic approach may improve the outcome of popliteal artery injury after high-velocity blunt knee trauma.

Postoperative Rehabilitation and Return to Sport Following Multiligament Knee Reconstruction

Multiligament knee injuries (MLKIs) are debilitating injuries that increasingly occur in young athletes. Return to sport (RTS) has historically been considered unlikely due to the severity of these injuries. Reporting in the literature regarding objective outcomes following MLKI, including RTS, is lacking, as are clear protocols for both rehabilitation progressions and RTS testing. RTS following MLKI is a complex process that requires an extended recovery duration compared to other surgery types. Progressions through postoperative rehabilitation and RTS should be thoughtful, gradual, and criterion based. After effective anatomic reconstruction to restore joint stability, objective measures of recovery including range of motion, strength, movement quality, power, and overall conditioning guide decision-making throughout the recovery process. It is important to frame the recovery process of the athlete in the context of the severity of their injury, as it is typically slower and less linear. Improved reporting on objective outcomes will enhance our understanding of recovery expectations within this population by highlighting persistent deficits that may interfere with a full recovery, including RTS.

Anatomical repair and ligament bracing of Schenck III and IV knee joint dislocations leads to acceptable subjective and kinematic outcomes

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to analyze the outcomes of anatomical repair and ligament bracing for Schenck III and IV knee dislocation (KD).

METHODS

The results of 27 patients (15 and 12 cases of Schenck III and IV KD, respectively) after a mean follow-up of 18.1 ± 12.1 months (range 6-45 months) were retrospectively reviewed. Twenty-two patients suffered high-kinetic-energy accidents, whereas five patients suffered ultralow-velocity (ULV) trauma due to obesity. The outcome measures were the Lysholm score, Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) knee score, Knee Society Score (KSS), Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) and Short Form 36 (SF-36) score. A kinematic 3D gait analysis with five walking trials was performed to compare the patients and healthy controls.

RESULTS

The mean KSS, HSS score, Lysholm score, and KOOS were 77.4 ± 14.4, 84.6 ± 11.2, 81.5 ± 10.4, and 67.3 ± 16.8, respectively. No intra- or postoperative complications occurred. The mean range of motion deficiency compared to the healthy side was 24.4 ± 18.5°. Ten patients had first-degree residual laxity of the anterior cruciate ligament; 12 and 2 patients had first- and second-degree residual laxity of the collateral ligament, respectively. Five patients underwent additional arthroscopic arthrolysis due to arthrofibrosis at an average of 6.2 ± 1.9 months (range 4-9 months) after the initial surgery. The 3D gait analysis showed no major differences in joint stability or movement between the patients and healthy controls. Only the ULV trauma patients had significantly lower outcome scores and showed larger kinematic deviations in joint movement during the gait analysis.

CONCLUSION

Anatomical repair with ligament bracing is a suitable surgical procedure in the treatment of KD and provides evidence in clinical practice with the benefit of early, definitive repair and preservation of the native ligaments. Patients reach acceptable subjective and objective functional outcomes, including mainly normalized gait patterns during short-term follow-up, with only minor changes in kinematics and spatial-temporal characteristics. Obese patients who suffered ULV trauma showed significantly inferior outcomes with larger deviations in joint kinematics.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III.