title: A Two-stage procedure for the treatment of a neglected posterolateral knee dislocation: Gradual reduction with an Ilizarov external fixator followed by arthroscopic anterior and posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Neglected knee dislocations are extremely uncommon and their management cannot be evidence-based since only a few case reports have been published describing different treatment methods. We present the case of a young man with a neglected posterolateral knee dislocation and a concomitant sciatic nerve injury.
  
  
  METHODS
  A two-stage treatment strategy with gradual reduction using the Ilizarov technique and subsequent arthroscopic anterior and posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction was followed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The two-stage treatment approach led to a satisfactory clinical outcome. At the latest follow-up evaluation the patient was fully ambulatory and the knee was painless with no anteroposterior instability.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In neglected knee dislocations treatment optios are guided by the severity of the concomitant injuries and the status of articulating surfaces. Gradual reduction with the Ilizarov technique and subsequent arthroscopic ligamentous reconstruction is a reliable alternative to open surgical procedures.
authors.affiliation: Third Orthopaedic Department, Medical School, University of Athens, KAT Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Vasilios D
authors.initials: VD
authors.lastname: Polyzois
authors.affiliation: Third Orthopaedic Department, Medical School, University of Athens, KAT Hospital, Athens, Greece. Electronic address: ipstathopoulos@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Ioannis P
authors.initials: IP
authors.lastname: Stathopoulos
authors.affiliation: Third Orthopaedic Department, Medical School, University of Athens, KAT Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Ioannis S
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Benetos
authors.affiliation: Third Orthopaedic Department, Medical School, University of Athens, KAT Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Spyros G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Pneumaticos
mesh_terms: D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000601:surgery*; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D018889:Ilizarov Technique; D031221:Knee Dislocation / Q000601:surgery*; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D016119:Posterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000601:surgery*; D000072229:Posterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction / Q000379:methods*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Anterior cruciate ligament; Arthroscopy; Ilizarov; Neglected knee dislocation; Posterior cruciate ligament