Question 1

What is a knee dislocation?

Accepted Answer

A true knee dislocation (not patellar dislocation) occurs when the femur (thigh bone) and tibia (shin bone) completely separate. This requires tearing of multiple major ligaments (ACL, PCL, and usually collateral ligaments). It's a rare but devastating injury, usually from high-energy trauma like motor vehicle accidents or extreme sports injuries. It's completely different from a dislocated kneecap (patella dislocation), which is much more common and less serious.

Question 2

Why is this an emergency?

Accepted Answer

Knee dislocations damage the popliteal artery (main blood vessel to the lower leg) in 20-40% of cases. If the artery is torn and not repaired within 6-8 hours, blood flow to the lower leg is lost and amputation becomes likely. Even after the knee relocates spontaneously, arterial injury can occur hours later as the vessel wall tears. This is why patients need hospital admission for vascular monitoring even if pulses seem normal initially.

Question 3

Will I need surgery?

Accepted Answer

Almost always, yes. Non-surgical treatment (bracing without ligament reconstruction) results in chronic instability and very poor function in most cases. Surgery is usually recommended to reconstruct torn ligaments. However, surgery is typically delayed 2-3 weeks until swelling settles. If the artery is injured, vascular repair is done immediately, and ligament reconstruction is delayed weeks to months.

Question 4

Can I walk again?

Accepted Answer

Yes, with proper treatment, most people (80-90%) regain ability to walk and perform normal daily activities. However, return to high-level sport is much less certain - only 30-50% return to previous sport level. The knee may never feel completely 'normal' again, and risk of developing arthritis is high (50-70% within 10 years).

Question 5

What is the risk of losing my leg?

Accepted Answer

If there's no arterial injury, amputation risk is very low (less than 1%). If the popliteal artery is damaged and repaired promptly (within 6-8 hours), amputation risk is 5-10%. If arterial injury is missed or repair is delayed, amputation risk increases to 50-80%. This is why immediate assessment and hospital monitoring are critical.

Medical Disclaimer

Knee Dislocation (Serious Emergency)

📖What is Knee Dislocation (Serious Emergency)?

🔬What Causes It?

⚠️Risk Factors

You may be at higher risk if:

🛡️Prevention