Diagnosis of Simultaneous Acute Ruptures of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament and Posterior Cruciate Ligament Using Point-of-Care Ultrasound in the Emergency Department

Sun Hwa Lee, Seong Jong Yun

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Patients with acute anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injuries from sport-related activities are frequently seen in the emergency department (ED). However, knee instability tests are known to show variable sensitivity and specificity. These tests would also have limited functionality in patients with severe pain and swelling in the knee. Case Report: A 19-year-old female judo player presented to the ED with severe left knee pain. She had abruptly twisted her left knee while she was shoulder-throwing her opponent. She complained of severe pain and refused physical examination of the knee injury; as a result, evaluation of knee instability could not be performed. However, a point-of-care ultrasound helped in making a prompt and accurate diagnosis of simultaneous, complete rupture and partial ruptures of the ACL and PCL, respectively. The ultrasound findings correlated well with the magnetic resonance imaging images in the assessment of the combined ACL-PCL ruptures. The patient underwent simultaneous arthroscopic ACL and PCL reconstruction with a hamstring tendon autograft and was discharged. Why Should an Emergency Physician Be Aware of This?: Point-of-care ultrasound imaging of the knee in trauma patients may be helpful for diagnosis of ACL and PCL injuries by augmenting findings of physical examinations in patients with severe pain and swelling in the knee. Ultimately, it may lead to more accurate diagnosis and treatment plans in knee trauma patients.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)335-338
Number of pages4
JournalJournal of Emergency Medicine
Volume54
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2018

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2017 Elsevier Inc.

Keywords

  • anterior cruciate ligament
  • emergency department
  • knee trauma
  • point-of-care ultrasound
  • posterior cruciate ligament

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