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Semin Musculoskelet Radiol 2011; 15(1): 042-058
DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1271958
© Thieme Medical Publishers

Radiology and Management of Multiligament Injuries of the Knee

Gajan Rajeswaran1 , Andrew Williams2 , Adam W. Mitchell3
  • 1Department of Radiology, Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust, Middlesex, United Kingdom
  • 2Department of Trauma and Orthopaedics, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
  • 3Department of Radiology, Chelsea and Westminster NHS Healthcare Trust, London, United Kingdom
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Publication History

Publication Date:
17 February 2011 (online)

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ABSTRACT

Multiligament injury of the knee, which may include joint dislocation, is a severe injury that can devastate knee function. It usually results in rupture of three of the four major stabilizing ligaments of the knee, but occasionally only two of the ligaments are torn. Evaluation and management is made more complex due to associated articular and meniscal cartilage injury, bony fractures, and neurovascular injury. What is considered best treatment is often varied and controversial. This article discusses the diagnosis and management of multiligament knee injury and the role of imaging in the context of the published literature and our own experience.

KEYWORDS

Knee - dislocation - multiligament - multiligament injury

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Adam W MitchellF.R.C.S. F.R.C.R. 

Department of Radiology, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Healthcare Trust

369 Fulham Rd., London SW10 9NH, UK

Email: adam.mitchell@imperial.ac.uk