Summary
The incidence of rupture of the knee ligaments was retrospectively studied in 47 patients with ipsilateral fractures of the femoral and tibial diaphyseal shaft. Fifteen patients proved to have an instability of the knee at the time of follow up. Disruption of the knee ligaments had not been recognised initially. At the time of initial treatment, injury of the knee ligaments had been diagnosed in only three cases. After stabilisation of both fractures in these cases, the knee ligaments had been repaired; at re-examination these patients had no complaints and their knees were perfectly stable. In view of the high incidence of missed cases, the possibility of disruption of the knee ligaments should be considered in all patients with fractures of both the femoral and tibial shaft. Meticulous examination of the knee at the time of injury is strongly advocated.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bansal VP, Singhal V, Mam MK, Gill SS (1984) The floating knee. 40 cases of ipsilateral fracture of the femur and the tibia. Int Orthop 8:183–187
Bertin KC, Marlowe Goble E (1983) Ligament injuries associated with physeal fractures about the knee. Clin Orthop Rel Res 177:188–195
Blake RT, McBryde A (1975) The floating knee. Ipsilateral fractures of the tibia and femur. South Med J 68:13–164
Fraser RD, Hunter GA, Wadell JP (1978) Ipsilateral fracture of the femur and tibia. J Bone Joint Surg [Br] 60:510–515
Grana WA, Gruel J, Wedro B, Hollingsworth S (1984) Complications of ipsilateral femur and tibia fractures. Orthopedics 7:825–828
den Hollander H (1987) Acute kniebandletsels. Thesis, University of Amsterdam
Karlstrom G, Olerud S (1977) Ipsilateral fracture of the femur and tibia. J Bone Joint Surg [Am] 59:240–243
Letts M, Vincent N, Gouw G (1986) The “floating knee” in children. J Bone Joint Surg [Br] 68:442–446
Lombardo SJ, Harvey JP (1977) Fractures of the distal femoral epiphyses. Factors influencing prognosis: a review of thirtyfour cases. J Bone Joint Surg [Am] 59:742–751
McAndrew MP, Pontarelli W (1988) The long-term follow-up of ipsilateral tibial and femoral diaphyseal fractures. Clin Orthop Rel Res 232:190–196
Moore TM, Patzakis MJ, Paul Harvey J (1988) Ipsilateral diaphyseal femur fractures and knee ligament injuries. Clin Orthop Rel Res 232:182–189
Pedersen HE, Serra JB (1968) Injury to the collateral ligaments of the knee associated with femoral shaft fractures. Clin Orthop Rel Res 60:119–121
Shelton ML, Neer CS, Grantham SA (1971) Occult knee ligament ruptures associated with fractures. J Trauma 11:853–856
Tay BK, Tong GO (1982) Ipsilateral fractures of the femur and tibia. Ann Acad Med 11:139–141
Veith RG, Winquist RA, Hansen ST (1984) Ipsilateral fractures of the femur and tibia. J Bone Joint Surg [Am] 66:991–1002
Walker DM, Kennedy JC (1980) Occult knee ligament injuries associated with femoral shaft fractures. Am J Sports Med 8:172–174
Walling AK, Seradge H, Spiegel PG (1982) Injuries to the knee ligaments with fractures of the femur. J Bone Joint Surg [Am] 64:1324–1327
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
van Raay, J.J.A.M., Raaymakers, E.L.F.B. & Dupree, H.W. Knee ligament injuries combined with ipsilateral tibial and femoral diaphyseal fractures: The “floating knee”. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 110, 75–77 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00393877
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00393877