A non-contact complete knee dislocation with popliteal artery disruption, a rare martial arts injury

Postgrad Med J. 1999 Sep;75(887):552-3. doi: 10.1136/pgmj.75.887.552.

Abstract

Complete knee dislocation is a rare injury and an associated incidence of popliteal artery damage ranges from 16-60% of cases. It occurs commonly in road traffic accidents and in high velocity trauma where significant contact remains as the usual mode of injury. We describe a rare case of non-contact knee dislocation with popliteal artery injury sustained while practising Aikido, a type of martial art. This patient successfully underwent closed reduction of the knee with an emergency vein bypass graft. Similar injury in association with Aikido has not been described in the English literature previously. Various martial art injuries are briefly discussed and safety recommendations made.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Humans
  • Joint Dislocations / diagnostic imaging
  • Joint Dislocations / etiology*
  • Joint Dislocations / surgery
  • Knee Injuries / diagnostic imaging
  • Knee Injuries / etiology*
  • Knee Injuries / surgery
  • Male
  • Martial Arts / injuries*
  • Popliteal Artery / diagnostic imaging
  • Popliteal Artery / injuries*
  • Popliteal Artery / surgery
  • Radiography