page_title: Knee dislocation
section_title: Classification
hierarchical_section_title: Knee dislocation / Diagnosis / Classification
caption_attribution_description: English: Lateral dislocation of the knee
context_page_description: A knee dislocation is a knee injury in which there is a complete disruption of the joint between the tibia and the femur. Symptoms include knee pain and instability of the knee. Complications may include injury to an artery around the knee, most commonly the artery behind the knee, or compartment syndrome.
  About half of cases are the result of major trauma and about half occur as a result of minor trauma. In about half of cases the joint reduces itself before a person arrives at the hospital. Typically there is a break of the anterior cruciate ligament, posterior cruciate ligament, and either the medial collateral ligament or lateral collateral ligament. If the ankle–brachial pressure index is less than 0.9, CT angiography is recommended to detect blood vessel injury. Otherwise repeated physical exams may be sufficient.
  If the joint remains dislocated, reduction and splinting is indicated; this is typically carried out under procedural sedation. In those with signs of arterial injury, immediate surgery is generally carried out. Multiple surgeries may be required. In just over 10% of cases, an amputation of part of the leg is required.
context_section_description: They may be divided into five types: anterior, posterior, lateral, medial, and rotatory. This classification is based on the movement of the tibia with respect to the femur. Anterior dislocations are the most common, followed by posterior dislocations. They may also be classified based on what ligaments are damaged.
caption: A lateral dislocation of the knee
exif: {"Image Orientation": "Horizontal (normal)"}