The indications for temporizing knee-spanning external fixation (KSEF) in the setting of knee dislocation (KD) are poorly defined, leading to significant uncertainty and inconsistency in clinical practice. This study aimed to analyze and describe the documented indications for temporizing KSEF in a series of patients with KDs.

A retrospective, multi-center review was conducted at two level I trauma centers from January 2001 to May 2024, identifying patients with documented KD treated with KSEF. Data were extracted from operative records, imaging, and clinical notes, and reviewed for demographics, injury characteristics, and documented indications for KSEF. A set of KSEF indications derived from the literature was developed a priori to individually assess the appropriateness of each KSEF application. Knees were classified as ‘did not meet criteria’ for KSEF only when both of the following conditions were true: (1) no predefined indication was met; and (2) there was no radiographic, clinical, or documented evidence of persistent post-reduction instability.

A total of 33 patients with 36 documented KDs treated with KSEF were identified from a cohort of 289 multiple ligament injured knees (12.5 %). Of the 36 KDs, 28 (77.8 %) met the selected criteria for KSEF. The most common primary indications for KSEF were vascular injury, tibial plateau fracture-dislocation, inability to maintain tibiofemoral reduction via non-invasive means, and morbid obesity. The remaining eight KDs (22.2 %) did not meet criteria for KSEF either as isolated injuries or in the setting of “polytrauma.” The rationale for KSEF application was cited as “polytrauma” in 6/8 (75.0 %) of these cases.

Eight of the 36 (22.2 %) KSEF applications did not meet the predefined criteria for KSEF in the setting of KD, nor showed evidence of an inability to maintain tibiofemoral reduction via non-invasive means. Polytrauma is frequently cited in the literature as a primary indication for temporizing KSEF in the setting of KD without a clear definition. Further investigation into the role of temporizing KSEF is needed, particularly in the polytraumatized patient, to determine its specific role in the management of KDs.

IV

Knee dislocation

Multiple ligament knee injury

External fixation

External fixator

Knee-spanning external fixation

Polytrauma

© 2026 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.