Unusual mechanism of knee ligaments injury

Background: abduction-traction injury of the knee is uncommon. the construction workers and parachutists are usually the victims. it occurs from falling head first with sudden block to ankle during fall without any compression at the knee causing disruption of the major ligaments of the knee. the menisci and the osteochondral surfaces of tibia and femur usually escape injury. aim: to highlight an unusual mechanism of serious injury to knee causing ligaments damage only. methods: this study included 20 patients of knee instability and was carried out at department of orthopedics,prince motaib bin abdul aziz hospital,sakaka saudi arabia from 30th march 2014 to 30th march 2016. the adult male patients aged 22-35 years who sustained abduction traction injury to the knee were included. the damage was purely ligamentous. all patients were subjected to surgery at our higher centers. the regular follow-up and full rehabilitation program was carried out at our hospital so we were able to interview the patients and those present at the scene of accidents. we focused mainly the unusual mechanism of traction-abduction injury to the knee. results: the arthroscopic reconstruction of anterior cruciate ligament/posterior cruciate ligament and the acute repair of grade iii complete tear of medial collateral ligament were the mainstay of treatment followed by full physical rehabilitation program. all patients had returned to normal daily activities in 4-6 months following surgery. the rate of complications was minimal. two patients had mild residual anteromedial instability while one patient developed knee stiffness in otherwise stable knee. there was no neurological deficit. conclusion: the knowledge of mechanism of any injury is of significance in deciding the mode of management. the possibility of abduction-traction injury should be kept in mind when the knee injuries subsequent to fall from height are reported especially in construction workers and parachute jumpers.