November 2009 Radiology Quiz

This patient is a 26 year old female who presents to the emergency department with the chief complaint of right knee pain. The following radiograph was taken.

Questions:

1. Describe what you see?

  Multiple views of the right knee which shows a dislocation of the femoral tibial joint.   

                                 Diagnosis: Anterior Knee Dislocation

2. How would you manage this patient?

• Reduce immediately by longitudinal traction after sedating the patient.
• The popliteal, dorsalis pedis and tibialis posterior pulses should be checked before and after reduction.
• The knee should be immobilized in a posterior splint I 15 degrees of flexion.
• An arteriogram should be performed in all cases of knee dislocation, even if pulses return after reduction.
• Immediate surgical intervention for Popliteal injuries, open or irreducible dislocations.

3. What complications can this patient be expected?

• Popliteal artery injury
• Popliteal vein injury
• Peroneal nerve injury
• Ligamentous injury
• Compartment syndrome

Trivia:  Which company insisted that their copyright symbol appear on Paul Simon's 'There Goes Rhymin' Simon' album?

                                         Answer: Kodak (Kodachrome).

[St Barnabas Hospital] [Mission] [Radiology Case Studies] [2009-10 Radiology Quizzes] [2010-11 Radiology Quizzes] [2011-12 Radiology Quizzes] [Cardiology Case Studies] [Conference] [Attending Schedule] [Residents Block Schedule] [Residents Schedule] [Resident Evaluations] [Residency Program] [Resident Selection] [Curriculum] [Rosen's Schedule] [Links]