An Unusual Case of Posterior Knee Dislocation Following Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Case Report.

Introduction: We propose a possible mechanism of dislocation in a posterior stabilized (PS) total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and suggest that it can be treated like a stable posteriorly dislocated hip replacement if stable throughout the range on examination under anesthesia. Case Report: A 71-year-old female presented with the right posterior knee dislocation following 1 year of TKA. Following the successful relocation, the knee was found to be stable throughout the range of movement and an uneventful recovery at 3 years follow-up.
Conclusion: Dislocation can occur in an otherwise stable TKA while squatting and can be successfully treated closed. The patients should be counseled to avoid squatting in a non-high flexion PS knee. Copyright: © Indian Orthopaedic Research Group.

Patients should be counseled to avoid deep squatting in a standard posterior stabilized knee as it may cause posterior dislocation of the knee joint.

Introduction

Dislocation after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is uncommon and was first reported in 1979 [1]. The causes include ligament imbalance, neuromuscular dysfunction, implant mal-position, flexion-extension gap mismatch, and polyethylene post breakage. Improved implant designs have reduced the possibility of dislocation post-TKA [2, 3]. Posterior knee dislocation (PKD) is more common than anterior knee dislocation [4, 5].

The patient was informed that data concerning this case would be submitted for publication and they provided consent.

Case Report

A 71-year-old female patient with the right knee tri compartmental osteoarthritis underwent a right TKA using a posterior stabilized (PS) fixed bearing cobalt chrome implant (PFC Sigma DePuy, Synthes). The surgery was performed through a medial para patellar approach. A combination of measured and gap resection method was used for ligament and flexion/extension balancing. The implant component used was size two femur, size two tibia, 8 mm polyethylene insert and a size 32 patella. The post-operative period was uneventful and post-operative radiographs demonstrated well aligned components (Fig. 1). She was started on a standard TKA rehabilitation protocol with elbow crutch assisted full weight-bearing ambulation from post-operative day 1 for a month. A range of motion (ROM) of 0–125° was achieved by 3 months by which time she was comfortable walking unassisted.

Figure 1

(a) Anteroposterior, (b) lateral, and (c) skyline view post-operative radiographs of the right knee after index surgery.

Twelve months after the index surgery, she presented with the operated knee locked in flexion. She described attempting to stand from a squatting position and falling forwards. Examination revealed moderately swollen knee in 60° of fixed flexion with further flexion to 120°. Neurologic examination was found to be normal. Standard radiographs revealed PKD (Fig. 2).

Figure 2

(a) Anteroposterior, (b) lateral, and (c) skyline view radiographs showing posterior dislocation of the knee joint.

The patient was taken to theatre for an examination under anesthesia with a plan for revision if needed. Under general anesthesia, the knee was flexed to maximum to bring the polyethylene post below and parallel to the inferior aspect of the cam and tibia was pulled anteriorly to reduce the knee. After reduction, we attempted to re-dislocate the knee in full flexion with a posteriorly directed force on the proximal tibia (Fig. 3). We found the joint to be stable through the entire range of movement in both sagittal and coronal plane (Fig. 4) and could not be dislocated even on applying a posterior force in full flexion.

Figure 3

Image intensifier view showing the posterior directed force (arrow) on a hyper flexed knee after reduction.

Figure 4

(a) Anteroposterior, (b) lateral, and (c) skyline view radiographs post reduction demonstrating a well aligned knee joint with all components in place.

Her range of movement was restored to 0–125° and was mobilized full weight bearing. She had an uneventful recovery at 3 years follow-up.

Discussion

PS knee implants encompass a femoral cam and a tibial post which allows controlled femoral rollback resulting in improved flexion. However, the flexion range depends on the pre-operative ROM and implant design [6, 7]. Common factors for consideration in a case of knee dislocation post-TKA are tibial component malalignment, polyethylene wear or breakage, flexion-extension gap mismatch, soft-tissue imbalance, and extensor dysfunction [4, 5, 8]. Certain patient-specific factors have also been known to play a role such as obesity and female gender. Most cases result in revision of the implant or insert [5, 9].

Our patient had a well-functioning TKA at 12 months postoperatively and did not have any component malalignment, instability, extensor tendon dysfunction, or a neuromuscular disorder. Insallet al. reported cases of TKA dislocation due to unopposed hamstring pull following extensor malfunction or excess lateral patellar mal tracking [1]. This has been noted in Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis diagnosed patients [9]. In our patient, we presume that the cause was an unopposed hamstring pull with an intact extensor mechanism when falling forwards while getting up from a squatting position. In this scenario, the tibial post is lying inferior and parallel to the cam and a posterior directed force (falling forwards) result in a PKD. This is a potential mechanism of dislocation in a non-high flexion stable PS knee.

Conclusion

We would like to state that a PKD of a PS TKA can occur without component malfunction if posteriorly pulled by the hamstrings in a squatting position and successful treatment can be obtained by closed reduction.

PKD of a PS TKA can occur rarely in a stable well-balanced replaced knee if falling forwards from a squatting position due to an unopposed hamstring pull. Like a stable posteriorly dislocated hip replacement, successful treatment can be obtained by closed reduction alone if stable through entire range under anesthesia. The patients should be counseled not to squat in a standard PS knee not designed for high flexion.