ISSN Print: 1050-6934
ISSN Online: 1940-4379
Bilateral Floating Knee Injury—Management of a Complex Injury
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ABSTRACT
Floating knee is a flail knee joint resulting from fractures of the shafts or adjacent metaphyses of the femur and ipsilateral tibia. Floating knee injuries may include a combination of diaphyseal, metaphyseal, and intra-articular fractures. Floating knee injuries are a group of complex injuries that require a careful assessment. This injury is generally caused by high-energy trauma with often extensive trauma to the soft tissues. There may also be life-threatening injuries to the head, chest, or abdomen and a high incidence of fat embolism. This complex injury has increased in proportion to population growth, number of motor vehicles on the road, and high-speed traffic. Although the precise incidence of a floating knee is not known, it is a relatively uncommon injury. Bilateral floating knee injuries are extremely rare, and there is only one case report in the literature with bilateral floating knee injuries. We present a case report of a 64-year-old lady who suffered a blunt abdominal injury (hemicolectomy and splenectomy) and bilateral floating knees during road traffic accident. We also offer guidance for the treatment of this complex injury, based on literature review.
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