Examination of the patient with a knee dislocation. The case for selective ³

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arteriography. Á Treiman GS. Yellin AE. Weaver FA. Wang S. Ghalambor N. Barlow W. Snyder B. Pentecost MJ. Archives of Surgery. 127(9):1056-62; discussion 1062-3, 1992 Sep. One hundred fifteen patients with a unilateral knee dislocation underwent arteriography to examine the popliteal artery. The incidence of popliteal artery injury was 23% (27 patients). Clinically, 29 (25%) of the 115 patients had an abnormal ipsilateral pedal pulse and 23 (79%) of these 29 patients had an arteriographically identified popliteal artery injury. Twenty-two arteries were surgically repaired and one was treated without surgery. Eight-six patients had normal pulses; the arteriogram showed no abnormalities in 77, demonstrated spasm in five, and revealed an intimal flap in four. All 86 patients were treated without surgery and had no * delayed vascular complications. This demonstrates that the vascular examination is an accurate predictor of major popliteal artery injury following knee dislocation. Patients with an abnormal pedal pulse warrant Á arteriography due to a high incidence (79%) of popliteal artery injury. Patients with normal pulses may be monitored by clinical examination only. Popliteal artery injuries in this group are minor and rarely require intervention. *