Management of floating knees in adults: Experience from tertiary hospital

Abstract

Background: Floating knee is the term applied to the flail knee joint segment resulting from a fracture of the shaft or adjacent metaphysis of the ipsilateral femur and tibia. The fractures are often a result of high-energy trauma. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the pattern and distribution of these fracture types, mechanism of injury, associated injuries, method of treatment, complications, and the challenges encountered during the course of managing these patients. Patients and Methods: This is a retrospective study of all cases of floating knee injuries presenting to the Orthopedic Unit of Federal Medical Center and Surgery Department of Sir Yahaya Memorial Hospital all in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, Northwest Nigeria, from January 2011 to December 2017. Data were extracted from the accident and emergency register, operation register, and patients' case folders. Data collected were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences for Windows version 22 (SPSS Inc. Chicago, Illinois, USA). Results: A total of 29 cases of floating knee injuries presented to the accident and emergency units. Males constituted 27 (93.1%) while females constituted 2 (6.9%). Motor vehicle accident was the most common mechanism of injury in 25 (86.3%) of the patients. The most common fracture type according to Fraser et al. classification is Type I which occurred in 12 (41.4%) of the patients. Conclusion: Floating knee injury occurs mostly in the productive age group. Head injury is the most common associated injury seen. This is mostly caused by motor vehicle accidents.