Knee Dislocations in the Morbidly Obese Patient

Sports Med Arthrosc Rev. 2020 Sep;28(3):110-115. doi: 10.1097/JSA.0000000000000273.

Abstract

Ultra-low-velocity knee dislocations are historically rare but increasingly common events. They occur most frequently in obese, morbidly obese, and super obese patients during everyday activities, but they can be as severe or more severe than high-velocity knee dislocations. Ultra-low-velocity knee dislocations frequently are associated with neurovascular injury and other complications. Diagnosis, early reduction, and identification and treatment of vascular injuries are critical to reducing the risk of limb ischemia and possibly amputation. Given the size of the limb, maintenance of reduction in these patients almost always requires external fixation. Although surgery on morbidly obese patients may be technically challenging, surgical reconstruction leads to improved subjective and objective results and is recommended.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Angiography
  • Ankle Brachial Index
  • Blood Vessels / diagnostic imaging
  • Blood Vessels / injuries
  • Body Mass Index
  • Humans
  • Knee Dislocation* / diagnosis
  • Knee Dislocation* / etiology
  • Knee Dislocation* / surgery
  • Ligaments, Articular / injuries
  • Ligaments, Articular / surgery
  • Obesity, Morbid* / complications
  • Plastic Surgery Procedures / methods
  • Postoperative Care / methods
  • Preoperative Care / methods
  • Treatment Outcome