Meniscal injury rate and its clinical outcome in the knee fracture dislocation

Abstract

Background & Aims: Treating fracture-dislocation of the knee is very complex and it is associated with several complications. Soft tissue damages are very common and ignoring them may affect the treatment results. The present study aimed at evaluating the incidence rates and the effect of meniscal injuries on the fracture-dislocation of the knee. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective-descriptive analytical study, 25 patients suffering from fracture-dislocation of the knee with types II-V damages, according to the Moore classification criterion, underwent open reduction, fracture fixation, and meniscal repair or debridement process. They were followed-up for two years. Results: Anatomic reduction of articular surface was obtained in 95% of the cases. The joint range of motion (ROM) was near to normal in 70% of the cases, 25% of the patients experienced functional ROM following manipulation, and 5% of cases required quadricepsplasty. Meniscal damages were observed in all cases (100%). The mean Lysholm score was 65±3.2 in the patients who were treated with meniscal debridement, whereas in patients who underwent meniscal repair, mean lysholm score was significantly higher (76.4±4.6) (P=0.001). Painful knee was observed in 16 patients (64%), and the majority of patients who had their meniscus were debrided. Conclusions: Meniscal damage is observed in all cases with knee dislocation fracture requiring repair or debridement. Reconstruction of the damaged meniscus plays an important role in the clinical outcome of patients.

Keywords

• knee dislocation fracture
• meniscal damage
• tibial plateau fractures