Complete knee dislocation without posterior cruciate ligament disruption. A report of four cases and review of the literature.

Abstract

Complete knee dislocation usually causes disruption of both the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments. Four cases of complete knee dislocation without posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) disruption are reported. All cases involved either anterior or anteromedial dislocation with anterior cruciate ligament disruption and collateral ligament injury, but without posterior cruciate disruption. This is an uncommon finding in complete dislocation of the knee. The PCL may occasionally be spared significant injury in anterior type dislocations, however, thus favorably affecting treatment options.