Multiple ligament knee injuries: Clinical practice guidelines

Abstract

Multiple ligament knee injuries involve tears of two or more of the four major knee ligament structures, and are commonly noted following knee dislocations. These devastating injuries are often associated with soft-tissue trauma, neurovascular deficit, and concomitant articular cartilage or meniscus tears. The complexity of presentation, and spectrum of treatment options, makes these injuries unique and extremely challenging to even the most experienced knee surgeons. A high level of suspicion, and a comprehensive clinical and radiological examination, is required to identify all injured structures. The current literature supports surgical management of these injuries, with cruciate reconstructions, and repair/augmented repair/ reconstruction of collateral ligaments. This review article analyses management principle of multiple ligament knee injuries, and formulates clinical practice guidelines with treatment algorithms essential to plan individualized management of these complex heterogeneous injuries.