Treatment of Multiple Ligaments Injuries

Choi, Chul Jun; Choi, Chong Hyuk; Oh, Won Taek

Abstract

Multiple ligament injury, which means disruption of at least 3 of the 4 major ligaments, generally occurs due to high energy trauma. Knee dislocation usually leads to the multiple ligament injury, and the terms 'knee dislocation' and 'multiple ligament injury' are used interchangeably. In some cases, a dislocated knee may have been spontaneously reduced immediately after the trauma. This is the reason why we should consider the possibility of knee dislocation and carry out a thorough vascular and neurologic evaluation when a patient with multiple ligament injury presents to an emergency department. Multiple ligament injury, when not properly treated, may lead to instability of the knee joint, resulting in posttraumatic arthritis. Though treatment and rehabilitation of multiple ligament injury is difficult, we should pursue full recovery of the knee joint through precise examination and proper treatment. There is controversy about conservative vs. surgical treatment, early vs. delayed surgeory, and repair vs. reconstruction, but surgical treatment and early reconstruction are now preferred.