title: Initial evaluation of the acute and chronic multiple ligament injured knee.
abstract: Multiple ligament injuries of the knee are rare, and severe injuries are often present following a knee dislocation. Appropriate initial evaluation and management is of critical importance for maximizing the potential outcome and avoiding disastrous consequences associated with these difficult injuries. While many of these injuries present acutely in an emergency department or clinic, presentation on a delayed basis is not uncommon. Injuries can present in a variety of situations, such as an isolated knee injury in an athlete or as part of a multisystem-injured trauma patient. In this publication, we review the etiology, classification, and comprehensive initial evaluation of the acute and chronic multiple-ligament injured knee.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Park Nicollet Clinic, TRIA Orthopaedic Center, 8100 Northland Dr, Bloomington, MN 55431, USA. timvinyard@gmail.com
authors.forename: Timothy Ryan
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Vinyard
authors.forename: Joel
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Boyd
authors.forename: Peter B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: MacDonald
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000465:Algorithms; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000150:complications; D002908:Chronic Disease; D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D031221:Knee Dislocation / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D008023:Ligaments, Articular / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D009104:Multiple Trauma / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D011150:Popliteal Artery / Q000293:injuries; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D020127:Recovery of Function; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D017695:Soft Tissue Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis; D016896:Treatment Outcome