Advances in Understanding and Managing Floating Knee Injuries: A Comprehensive Review

Cureus. 2024 Mar 28;16(3):e57122. doi: 10.7759/cureus.57122. eCollection 2024 Mar.

Abstract

Fractures of the ipsilateral tibia and femur, frequently combined with soft tissue damage and dislocations, describe floating knee injuries, a complicated orthopedic condition. Epidemiological data suggest that floating knee injuries account for a small but significant proportion of traumatic orthopedic injuries, with a higher incidence observed in younger males engaged in high-risk activities. Anatomically, floating knee injuries involve fractures of the femur and tibia, ligamentous disruptions, and soft tissue damage, contributing to the complexity and severity of these injuries. An extensive analysis of floating knee injuries is given in this paper, including information about epidemiology, anatomy, pathophysiology, categorization, management approaches, complications, prognosis, and current and upcoming developments.

Keywords: dislocation; femur; floating knee injury; fracture; rehabilitation; tibia.

Publication types

  • Review