Knee dislocation following a domestic accident: case report.

Abstract

Introduction :
Knee dislocations are rare lesions. We report a case of antero-lateral dislocation following a domestic accident.

Observation :
27-year-old patient, admitted to the surgical emergency room of the National Hospital of Niamey for trauma to the left knee following a domestic accident. Indeed, the patient would have fallen with landing on the knee blocked in extension and in valgus. On admission the patient was conscious, with a good hemodynamic and ventilatory state, we note in her obesity with a body mass index (BMI) of 38 kg/m2. She presented with severe knee pain, total functional impotence of the left pelvic limb, global swelling of the left knee with a positive patellar impact, significant deformation of the knee in flexum and slight valgus. The diagnosis of a knee dislocation was suspected after clinical examination and confirmed by standard radiography. The patient underwent reduction followed by immobilization with a temporary knee brace and then an external fixator secondarily. The evolution has been favorable. Due to the high risk of neurovascular complications, appropriate and urgent diagnosis and management with reduction and immediate immobilization is recommended.

Conclusion :
Traumatic dislocations of the knee following a domestic accident are rare, especially in the antero-lateral form. The associated lesions are frequent and are very serious. Multidisciplinary management is required and allows rapid and adequate treatment. The use of the external fixator can solve the problem of residual laxity related to this trauma.