TRAUMATIC DISLOCATION OF THE KNEE

1. The results have been reviewed of forty-two traumatic dislocations of the knee in forty-one patients, twenty-six of which were treated conservatively.2. Primary operative repair was carried out in only three cases, although a further ten had operative intervention for various complications.3. It was not possible to compare the results of operation with those of conservative treatment, because the operative procedures were so diverse in nature.4. The conservative treatment of twenty-six dislocations yielded surprisingly good results with regard to stability, absence of pain, and range of flexion movement.5. In general, immobilisation for long periods, like operative repair, led to reduced movement.6. In the absence of complications, conservative treatment is the method of choice.