Photo Source: Babushahi Bureau
Doctors at Fortis Mohali successfully treat 39-year-old-woman with complex fracture-dislocation of knee
Fracture dislocation of the knee is a serious injury which can lead to loss of limb if not treated timely
Babushahi Bureau
Rohtak, August 27, 2022: A 39-year-old woman was wheelchair-bound and in debilitating pain due to a fracture dislocation of her right knee post a road accident.
Under distress and pain, the patient visited a local hospital where post medical examination, she was given a brace. However, the patient’s knee continued to cause excruciating pain.
The Patient finally approached Dr. Ravi Gupta, Director of Orthopaedics (Sports Medicine), Fortis Hospital Mohali. The medical evaluation revealed that the Patient had a serious fracture-dislocation in the knee.
The injuries contributing to fracture dislocation were a severely broken leg bone (tibia), two broken main ligaments of the knee (ACL and MCL) and also a postero medial corner injury of the knee.
In a knee fracture dislocation, there can be a risk of injury to the main blood vessel and nerves supplying the foot and so it is considered to be highly serious injury that if not managed properly, can lead to loss of a limb.
The examination of the patient revealed that the fracture was not fit for immediate surgery because there were blisters and excessive swelling in the surrounding skin and soft tissues.
Thus the surgery was deferred till the soft tissues were healed.To accelerate the healing process, Dr Guptaconducted deroofing of blisters (removing the ‘roof’ of the blister to expose the viable tissue beneath) and stabilized the knee with a special long knee brace.
To restore knee function and stability, the team of doctors led by Dr. Guptaconducted a prolonged surgery for 4 hours in which proximal tibial fracture fixation to repair the break in the leg bone, anterior cruciate ligament fixation, medial collateral ligament repair along with posteromedial corner repair on the Patient on 24th November last year.
After surgery, there was delayed healing of the wound due to the initial bad injury to the soft tissues so Vacuum-assisted compression (VAC) was used to enhance soft tissue healing after surgery.
Following good rehabilitation at Fortis Mohali, the patient was able to gradually bend her knees to the full extent and was able to walk with a walker.
She was discharged nearly two weeks after the surgery. Regular physiotherapy and exercises helped the Patient gain full movement and within 12 weeks of the surgery, she was allowed full weight bearing with support. The Patient has recovered fully and leading a normal life today.
Discussing the line of treatment, Dr. Gupta, said,“Fracture dislocation of the knee is a complex condition and delay in medical treatment can lead to loss of limb. The early complication of soft tissue necrosis is common in such high-energy traumatic injuries and needs meticulous treatment by surgical/chemical debridement. Vacuum-assisted compression (VAC) dressing is relatively a new technology that enhances wound healing. The patient has resumed her normal routine.”