Abstract
Objective The present paper aims to describe multiligament knee injuries and to associate their
features with the profile of the patients and trauma mechanisms.
Methods This is a cross-sectional study evaluating 82 patients with multiligament knee injuries
from September 2016 to September 2018. Evaluated parameters included age, gender,
mechanical axis, affected side, range of motion, trauma mechanism, associated injuries,
affected ligaments, and absence from work.
Results The sample included patients aged between 16 and 58 years old, with an average age
of 29.7 years old; most subjects were males, with 92.7% of cases. The most common
trauma mechanism was motorcycle accident (45.1%). The most injured ligament was the
anterior cruciate ligament (80.5%), followed by the posterior cruciate ligament (77.1%),
the posterolateral corner (61.0%), and the tibial collateral ligament (26.8%). The
most frequent type of dislocation was KD IIIL (30.4%). Only 1 patient had a vascular
injury, and 13 (15.9%) presented with neurological injuries. Most subjects took medical
leave from work (52.4%).
Conclusion There is a big difference between patients with multiligament lesions in Brazil compared
with international studies. Thus, it is advisable to carry out more specific studies
on the topic with our population to improve the treatment of these patients.
Keywords
knee injuries - knee dislocation - joint instability
