Abstract
Acute multiligament knee injuries (MLKI) are rare, high energy traumatic injuries associated with an increased risk of lower limb complications. The objectives of this study were to investigate the adequacy of clinical assessment for neurovascular status, compartment syndrome, and deep vein thrombosis in the emergency department (ED) following acute MLKI. The authors conducted a retrospective case note review of 19 patients with MLKI presenting at the ED of a Major Trauma Centre during a 7.5-year period between June 2009 and December 2016. MLKIs were diagnosed by MRI or examination under anaesthesia and confirmed intraoperatively. Arterial assessment consisted of documented capillary refill time, dorsalis pedis and posterior tibial pulse assessment (through palpation or Doppler ultrasound), and ankle-brachial pressure index (ABPI) calculation. Neural assessment was adequate if there was documented assessment of both sensory and motor function of the superficial peroneal, deep peroneal and tibial nerves individually. Data was collected for 19 patients (17 male, 2 female). The mean age was 34 (range: 14–61). The most common injury mechanism was road traffic accident. Neurovascular assessment was suboptimal in all categories: only one patient received a satisfactory lower limb neurological assessment and no patients received complete vascular assessments. Neurovascular assessment of multiligament knee injuries was suboptimal. Reasons for this included poor documentation and lack of certain specific clinical assessments, such as ABPI calculation. We propose the introduction of an acute knee injury pro forma highlighting the components of a full lower limb neurovascular examination to rectify this problem.
