Dislocation of the knee

Written by Dr Sheila Strover on March 14, 2025

A dislocation of the knee is a serious injury where most or all of the ligaments of the knee become disrupted and the thighbone (femur) dislocates from the shinbone (tibia).

Dislocation of the knee is not the same as a dislocated kneecap

Dislocation of the knee is a rare condition, and quite different from dislocation of the kneecap. Blood vessels and nerves are at extreme risk and it is generally considered extremely important to order an angiogram as early as possible after reduction to check the arterial supply. Soft tissue damage, eg ligaments, are likely to require surgery once the situation is stable.

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Structures involved in knee dislocation

The damage may involve the capsule, one or more of the cruciate and collateral ligaments, the menisci, the popliteus tendon and the blood and nerve supply. The priority is to re-establish blood supply and then stabilise the joint while the other structures are assessed.

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