Clinical and radiological outcomes after management of traumatic knee dislocation by open single stage complete reconstruction/repair

BACKGROUND The purpose of our study was to analyze the clinical and radiological long-term outcomes of surgically treated traumatic knee dislocations and determine prognostic factors for outcome. METHODS Retrospective consecutive series of patients treated surgically for traumatic knee dislocation with reconstruction/refixation of the anterior (ACL) and posterior cruciate ligaments (PCL) and primary complete repair of collaterals and posteromedial and posteromedial corner structures. 68 patients were evaluated clinically (IKDC score, SF36 health survey, Lysholm score, Knee Society score, Tegner score, visual analogue scale - VAS pain and satisfaction, Cooper test) and radiologically (weight bearing and stress radiographs) with a mean follow up of 12 +/- 8 years. Instrumented anterior-posterior translation was measured (Rolimeter, KT-1000). Pearson correlation and stepwise regression analysis was used. RESULTS 82% of patients (n = 56) returned to their previous work. At final follow-up 6 patients (9%) suffered from pain VAS > 3. The mean side-to-side difference of anterior/posterior translation (KT-1000, 134N) was 1.6 +/- 1.6 mm and 2.6 +/- 1.4 mm. Valgus and varus stress testing in 30 degrees flexion was <3 mm (normal) in 57 patients (86%). The IKDC score was normal/nearly normal in 38 (58%) patients and the mean Lysholm score 83 +/- 17 (intact 98 +/- 7). The median Tegner score decreased from 7 preinjury (range 3-10) to 5 at follow-up (range 0-10). The mean Knee Society score was 187 +/- 15 (out of maximum 200). In 7 patients (10%) a secondary ligament reconstruction was performed. Three patients (4%) underwent a high tibial osteotomy and four (6%) received a primary unconstrained total knee replacement. According to the Kellgren Lawrence osteoarthritis score only mild degenerative changes were present. The stress radiographs showed stable results for anteroposterior translation. Injury of the lateral collateral ligament, refixation of the ACL/PCL and delayed surgery >40 days were significantly associated with worse outcome (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Early complete reconstruction can achieve good functional results and patient satisfaction with overall restoration of sports and working capacity. Negative predictive factors for outcome were injury pattern, type of surgical procedure and timing of surgery.