Irreducible lateral knee dislocation with incarceration of the lateral femoral condyle in the posterolateral capsuloligamentary structures: a case report and literature review

Abstract

Knee dislocations are relatively rare 1 , often associated with neurovascular injury, and usually amenable to closed reduction 2 . The irreducible knee dislocation is an even rarer occurrence 3 , 4 . Irreducibility of a knee dislocation is usually due to the medial femoral condyle being buttonholed through the gap formed by medial capsuloligamentary structures. We have treated a rare irreducible dislocation of the left knee in which the neurovascular status was intact. MRI revealed entrapment of the posterolateral capsuloligamentary structures in the intercondylar notch. Emergency operation was performed to reduce the dislocation and reconstruct the injured ligaments. We have described the case in order to present the characteristics of this dislocation and guidelines for its diagnosis and treatment.