Complications of posterolateral dislocation of the knee: Case report and literature review

A 49-year-old man incurred a posterolateral dislocation of the knee, a rare type of knee injury. The injury was associate with a significant skin slough as a result of internal pressure from the displaced medial femoral condyle. The dislocatin also was associated with a rupture of the quadriceps tendon. The mechanism of injury was a forcible abduction of the flxed knee, coupled with medial rotation of the tibia upon the femur. This type of knee dislocation cannot be reduced closed ad therefore immediate open reduction with primary ligamentous repair is the treatment of choice.