The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a new two stage surgical treatment for acute traumatic knee dislocation.

The study involved 15 knees in 14 patients treated between October 1997 and November 2001. The mean follow-up period was 24 months. In the first surgical stage, medial and/or lateral ligament complexes were repaired or reconstructed within two weeks of the injury. In the second surgical stage, once full range of motion was obtained 3-6 months later, anterior or posterior cruciate ligaments (ACL or PCL) were reconstructed if significant laxity was present. The final outcomes were assessed using stress X-rays, range of motion and Lysholm score.

There were ten cases of MCL tear and eight cases of LCL tear. All MCL and LCL injuries were either repaired or reconstructed. All cases had both ACL and PCL tears. Following the first stage of MCL/LCL surgery, the second stage surgery of ACL or PCL reconstructions was deemed to be necessary in three and seven cases, respectively. Five cases did not require ACL or PCL reconstruction. In stress X-rays at the last follow up examination, MCL, LCL, ACL and PCL instability was graded as 0 or 1 in 15, 14, 15 and 11 cases, respectively. PCL instability was graded as 2 in four cases. The mean postoperative Lysholm score was 87.6 points.

The two stage surgical approach described here resulted in good outcomes for patients suffering from acute knee dislocation patients in terms of range of motion and stability.