Knee Dislocation With Vascular and Nerve Injury in a Professional Football Player: Return to Play

Abstract

Traumatic knee dislocations are serious and complex injuries, defined as clinical and/or radiological loss of tibiofemoral congruence, which may represent real emergencies to the integrity of the affected limb. This lesion is responsible for multi-ligament tears but the most serious possible complications are related to vascular and peripheral nerve injuries. Recent studies show that surgical treatment has better functional results and higher return rates to sports practice compared to conservative treatment. However, there is still no consensus on the ideal surgical technique and the timing of surgery. After conservative management or surgical treatment, rehabilitation treatment plays a key role in the recovery process. There are few studies evaluating the return to competition after traumatic knee dislocation and those athletes who return have difficulty reaching the pre-injury level. Here, we report the case of a professional football player who suffered a traumatic knee dislocation, with multiple ligament tears associated with vascular and neurological damage. Three hours after the initial lesion a double interposition bypass was done with the great saphenous vein, returning flow distally. It was decided not to perform ligament surgery. Two years after a long and intense rehabilitation program the athlete successfully returned to competition.