Long-term Follow-up for Successful Salvage of Knee Dislocation Complicated by Infection: A Case Report

JBJS Case Connect. 2024 Dec 5;14(4). doi: 10.2106/JBJS.CC.24.00374. eCollection 2024 Oct 1.

Abstract

Case: A 44-year-old morbidly obese man suffered an ultra-low velocity knee dislocation with anterior and posterior cruciate and medial collateral ligament tears after falling from a stationary bike. He underwent open reduction, external fixator application, and multiligamentous reconstruction. Postoperatively, he developed septic arthritis requiring debridement, graft removal, and antibiotic therapy, with eventual conversion to total knee arthroplasty (TKA). We present nearly 20-year follow-up on this complex case.

Conclusion: Morbid obesity amplifies the risks of knee dislocation management, including ligament reconstruction failure and septic arthritis. Long-term follow-up allows for analysis of treatment strategies of severe complications.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Arthritis, Infectious* / surgery
  • Humans
  • Knee Dislocation* / complications
  • Knee Dislocation* / surgery
  • Male
  • Obesity, Morbid / complications
  • Obesity, Morbid / surgery